Man dies after gunfire erupts in California mall
A man was killed when an argument at a busy shopping centre erupted into gunfire.
The Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield was packed with post-holiday shoppers when the shooting began, sending people screaming and running out of the building, witnesses said yesterday.
Randy Martin, 38, was in the mall when he heard a big pop, like glass breaking, followed by shoppers screaming.
“The next thing I know, it’s like a stampede,” Martin said.
The shooting began at about 6.20pm local time, said Bakersfield police Lt. Joe Bianco.
The suspects fled from the scene, police said. Several people were detained, but police did not know if the gunman was among them.
The 20-year-old victim was shot at least once in the chest in front of a sporting goods store, Bianco said.
He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related.
Mall surveillance video showed the victim arguing with a group of young men shortly before the shooting.
“Two sets of people were arguing, and that’s what led up to the shooting,” Bianco said.
