1 killed, 5 injured in shooting at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge

One person was killed and five others were injured when gunfire broke out inside the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, according to officials. Police said the shooting followed a fight between two groups and was not a random attack.

Shots were fired at about 1:22 p.m. Thursday near food counters in the mall’s food court, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said. A Baton Rouge police officer assigned to the mall was already on scene and ran toward the gunfire, while an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputy who was in the parking lot also responded.

“At this time, there is a total of six victims,” Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards said. “Tragically, one person has lost their life and another remains in critical condition.”

“I want to stress that this was not a random act,” Morse said. “This was a disagreement, a fight between two different groups of people… and unfortunately innocent victims got caught in the crossfire.”

Morse said some of the surviving victims had already been discharged from hospitals, and none of those being treated were being detained as suspects.

Five people were in custody Thursday night, but Morse said investigators were still working to determine their exact involvement. A handgun was recovered from the scene.

“We know that there are still more suspects out there,” Morse said. “In no way is this investigation over, and we do believe that there are more people involved.”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is leading the investigation. Charles Koger, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said the FBI was assisting local police and providing resources.