COLORADO SPRINGS – Holiday shopping turned dangerous on Tuesday when two people were struck by gunfire at the Citadel Mall.
The incident forced several parts of the mall to go on lockdown. Many people were also evacuated and the mall closed overnight.
It’s the second shooting at the mall in less than a month. On December 8 there was an altercation outside the food court. One person pulled a gun and fired shots. No one was hurt then. However, after Tuesday’s incident, some people are asking if it’s safe to shop at the mall?
“Anybody could’ve got shot,” said Will Porter who was working inside a barber shop at the Citadel Mall when danger struck.
“Somebody was arguing and they were shooting.”
Colorado Springs Police said a car was driving through the parking lot when someone inside shot at two men standing outside the Hooters entrance. The barber shop’s window was shot out.
Porter said, “Everybody got down on the ground. It was nerve-racking…I just seen a lot of people just trying to find cover to get on the ground.”
Police said the vehicle sped off. One of the victims stayed outside while the other went into the food court.
Porter said, “His leg was shot and shot in the stomach.”
Lieutenant Howard Black said, “In a relatively short amount of time we were confident that we didn’t have any type of an active shooting situation going on.”
Still, hundreds of shoppers were inside the mall at the time.
“It could’ve been worse,” said Porter.
The goal is to find the people responsible and move forward.
Lieutenant Black said, “We want to get people back into the Christmas spirits…get this location safe and usable for our community.”
Police said both of the men shot are in serious yet stable condition. They are on the lookout for a red vehicle.
The Citadel Mall will reopen Wednesday at 9 a.m.
