One shot during fight in Arundel Mills Mall; Three arrested following police chase and car crash
A violent altercation inside Arundel Mills Mall on Saturday evening escalated into a gun discharge and a police pursuit spanning multiple counties, ending with three suspects in custody, according to law enforcement officials.
Police Statement: “An altercation occurred inside Arundel Mills Mall earlier in the vestibule area near Burlington Coat Factory. During the struggle, a shot was fired.”
Anne Arundel County Police responded around 5 p.m. on March 28 to reports of a fight and a shot fired in the vestibule area near Burlington Coat Factory. Investigators say an adult male victim was leaving the store when he was approached and assaulted by a group of individuals.
During the confrontation, the victim produced a handgun. Police say a struggle ensued over the weapon, which discharged during the fight, striking one of the suspects in the wrist. The group then fled the mall in a black Nissan Altima.
Using real-time tracking technology, officers located the vehicle traveling along Interstate 97, prompting a pursuit that continued onto I-695 into Baltimore County. The chase ended when the suspects’ vehicle crashed, after which the trio attempted to flee on foot.
With assistance from aviation units, including a police helicopter, officers quickly apprehended all three suspects. Two sustained minor injuries in the crash, while the suspect struck by the gunshot suffered a non-life-threatening wound. An officer involved in the pursuit was also injured in a crash and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities emphasized there was no active threat to the public; and the mall remained open following the incident. Investigators have not yet determined a motive or whether the victim and suspects knew each other. The case remains under active investigation, and as of Saturday night – no charges had yet been publicly announced.
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(Sources: Anne Arundel County Police Department, Fox News Baltimore, WBAL-TV, The Washington Times)
(Cover photo: Baltimore Latino / Facebook)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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