DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — A 16-year-old girl was shot and wounded Wednesday night when someone opened fire at a Connecticut mall during a dispute involving at least eight people, police said.
Officers responded to the Danbury Fair Mall shortly after 7 p.m. on reports of shots fired and found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper chest. Police said the teenager was conscious when she was taken to a hospital. Her name and condition have not been released. Authorities did not believe her wound was life-threatening.
Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said it appeared the girl was an innocent bystander. He said surveillance video shows an altercation involving at least eight people just outside the entrance to Macy’s inside the mall and a person firing a gun at least one time.
Investigators were looking into reports that a male carrying a hammer who was seen running away may have been the target.
“Right now we’re looking for the shooter,” Ridenhour said Wednesday night. “If we can identify the others that are involved, they can help us locate the shooter and bring them to justice.”
The mall was placed in a lockdown. Officers from several area police departments responded and helped clear the building.
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