2 injured, 1 juvenile detained after shooting involving teenagers at Deerbrook Mall, Humble PD says
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Two people were shot, and a juvenile was detained after a shooting involving teenagers at Deerbrook Mall, the Humble Police Department said.
According to officials, the call for a shooting inside the mall came in at 6:38 p.m. on Saturday.
In a press conference held after 8 p.m., Humble PD Chief Kris Battenfield said a bystander was shot in the finger during the incident and is expected to be OK. A teenager was also shot, but their condition is unknown, according to Battenfield.
The gunfire sent shoppers running for cover, and video showed an active scene as law enforcement secured the mall. The chaos unfolded on the second floor of the mall, near the food court, according to Battenfield.
Battenfield said multiple shots were fired, but officers were able to respond within seconds, as at least two officers were actively staged at the mall at the time.
Angela Arriaga, who was shopping for shoes with her family, recalled the moments the shots rang inside the mall.
"Everybody went to the back of the store to the exit, and my husband stayed at the front, trying to make sure everybody was safe," Arriaga told Eyewitness News. "He even shut the gates of the Journey store."
Arriaga's daughter was trying on shoes when the shooting happened, and fled towards safety with only one on.
"It was just the scariest," Arriaga added.
Authorities did not share further information on the victims or potential suspect.
Battenfield said the investigation into the shooting is underway and witnesses and videos are currently under review.
When asked if unsupervised teens at the mall could be the root of the problem, Humble Police said that question and potential solution would need to be taken up by mall owners or managers.
The shooting comes after "teen takeovers" across the Houston area have forced malls to enforce curfews and chaperone policies to restrict certain activities at their shopping centers.
Mall managers said in an update on Sunday morning that Deerbrook Mall opened for business as usual, adding that there were enhanced security measures, such as more law enforcement and K9s. Managers said a youth curfew is still under discussion, describing the shooting as an isolated situation.
SEE ALSO: Memorial City Mall becomes the latest mall to implement 'temporary youth curfew'
This is a developing story. Eyewitness News is continuing to gather facts.
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