2 Injured, 3 Suspects Sought in Shooting at Fashion Place Mall in Utah

Reports say officials are searching for three Hispanic male suspects in possible gang-related attack

Authorities say a gunman has opened fire at a mall near Salt Lake City and that three people were wounded.

The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper reported that police officers are searching for the suspects.

The shooting happened Sunday afternoon at the Fashion Place mall in Murray, Utah.

“We are very saddened by the incident that happened outside our shopping center this afternoon. We are grateful to our security and the quick response of our partners at the Murray Police Department,” wrote Fashion Place on Twitter.

“At this time we are directing all inquiries to the Murray Police Department. This is a developing investigation and we are providing whatever aide necessary to law enforcement. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our guests and tenants. The shopping center is currently closed,” the mall told Fox13.

According to KUTV, three suspects were described as Hispanic males.

A witness said the suspects were wearing dark pants and light-colored hoodies, ABC4 reported.

The male and female victims were taken to Intermountain Medical Center. One is in critical condition and the other is in serious condition, according to officials.

“We do not know their identities, we have descriptions of them,” Murray Police Det. Kenny Bass said of the suspects, Fox13 reported.

Police told the news outlet that the shooting may be gang-related.

“At this point, there are officers still looking for them,” Bass told KSL. “They are currently still outstanding.”

“It looks like if it actually was gang-related then anybody living in the area does not have any personal concern,” Bass continued. “However, if they see anybody that is suspicious in their area ... please contact the police department.”

The victims were shot outside the mall on the east side.

Police officers were seen escorting people out of the mall with their hands in the air, according to video footage published on social media.

Workers Panic

Stella Fonseca, an assistant manager at Claire’s inside the mall, said she headed to a nearby Red Lobster and helped barricade a back room with cabinets and lockers, according to the Tribune.

“There was a sense of panic,” she said.

Abbigail Loveridge, an employee at the Attic Salt store, heard gunshots and a fire alarm.

“People started running. Right in front of our store, I watched people get shot down,” she said. “Women and children are getting trampled, especially little kids.”

Murray is located south of Salt Lake City.

“We saw cops come in from everywhere,” Loren Okuly, who was in the parking lot at the time of the shooting, told KSL.

She added: “Guys running, from like Cheesecake Factory toward Red Rock Brewery with not pistols, but full on assault rifles in their hands.”

Other details were not disclosed by officials.