GASTONIA, N.C. — Three people were hurt in a shooting at the Eastridge Mall in Gastonia on Friday afternoon, and police said a 17-year-old is now facing multiple charges for it.
A Gastonia Police Department spokesperson first confirmed that two men and a woman suffered injuries that weren't considered life-threatening. All three of those victims were taken to a hospital for treatment.
During the course of their investigation, police later said a fourth person had also been injured. However, a later update from the department said the person who self-transported to a Charlotte hospital was not tied to the Eastridge incident. Rather, that male victim is believed to have been shot in another neighboring area.
Gastonia police were interviewing two persons of interest connected to the shooting. Police told WCNC Charlotte they are charging a 17-year-old with multiple felonies. Police recovered two guns: One in the mall near the food court, and another nearby in the woods.
Around 12:10 p.m., police responded to the mall, which is located in Gaston County about 20 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Police officers helped shoppers safely evacuate stores. Some shoppers hid inside stores, bathrooms, and storage areas.
“They shut the gate down and told us we had to go to the back of the store," one witness shared. "Right now I’m really scared for my babies. I got my 10-year-old daughter back here behind a bush along with my 1-year-old. It’s really scary to me.”
"I heard pop pop pop and I knew something was up," Chanda Barrnett, who hid with her husband in a bathroom, told WCNC Charlotte. "I seen the security guy running. And then on his radio [we heard], 'Shots fired, shots fired.'"
Another witness told they were about 15 feet away from the shooting.
"I heard shots and everybody screaming," the witness told WCNC Charlotte's, Jane Monreal. "Everybody crazy."
Family members of shoppers and employees were able to reunite with friends and family at the parking lot of Luck Samurai, which is located at 116 N New Hope Road. The mall is located along North New Hope Road adjacent to exit 20 on Interstate 85 in Gaston County.
In addition to the Gastonia Police Department, law enforcement personnel from the Gaston County Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff's Office, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the shooting. Police are still working to determine the motive in this shooting.
In addition to retail stores and a food court, the mall also houses a North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office and a U.S. post office.
Eastridge Mall is expected to reopen Saturday at 11 a.m., though the Bath & Body Works will be opening later at 1 p.m. to prepare for the semi-annual sale. The DMV will reopen Monday at 9 a.m.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.