Three people were killed by a gunman in an Indiana shopping mall, with a “hero” outside shooting the assailant.
The man entered Greenwood Park Shopping Center Sunday and began firing an assault rifle, wounding three people before being killed by an armed 22-year-old, police said.
One of the two others injured was a 12-year-old girl with minor injuries, the Indianapolis Star reported.
“The real hero of the day was the citizen who legally brought a gun into that food court and was able to stop it
Jim Ison, Greenwood Police Chief, said.
The names of the victims, the gunman or the person involved have not been released.
Indiana some of the most relaxed gun laws in the United States. This month, it removed the need for handgun bearers to obtain a license – even if the weapon is concealed.
This latest shooting follows similar attacks at a School in Uvalde, Texas and at a Chicago Independence Day Parade.
“We are sickened by a different kind of incident like this in our country,” said Assistant Indianapolis Sheriff Chris Bailey.
Photo: AP
The three people shot dead in Indiana are among 136 people killed in gun violence nationwide in the past 72 hours, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Police arrived at the mall at around 6pm local time after the alarm was raised.
Authorities were searching for other victims but it is believed the shooting was brought into the food court.
US Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, tweeted: “Horrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at Greenwood Park Mall.
“Thank you to our law enforcement officers who responded.”
Read more: Nearly 400 officers in Texas school shooting ‘didn’t prioritize victim’s safety’ over their own’
Photo: AP
Last month US Senate passed a rare bipartisan package of gun safety legislationafter decades of not passing firearms legislation.
Greenwood is a southern suburb of Indianapolis with a population of about 60,000.
Mayor Mark Myers asked for “prayers for our victims and first responders”.
“This tragedy hits the core of our community,” he added in a statement.
