At least 2 people injured after shooting at North Riverside Mall

Mayor Joseph Mengoni reported that two individuals were injured in a shooting at North Riverside Park Mall on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the mayor, police received a call about shots fired at the mall just before 5:20 p.m. It was determined that the incident began with a physical altercation between two couples inside the mall before shots were fired.

Mayor Joseph Mengoni stated that the altercation involved two men and two women, with a single gunshot injuring both men.

They were taken to a local hospital where their conditions stabilized.

The incident happened inside the mall, which had recently increased security measures, including hiring undercover officers.

The mayor believes these officers were the first to respond to the shooting.

Employees were escorted out through a back exit for safety, processing the trauma of the event. Village officials clarified that it was never an active shooter situation, but it triggered mass panic.

The mayor stated that no gun has been recovered, and the shooter fled the scene.

It is unclear if the shooter was one of the injured men or one of the women involved in the altercation, but it was one of the four individuals.

No further details about the shooting suspect, including a description, have been released.

The mall is expected to reopen Thursday for holiday hours, according to Mengoni.

Dozens of police cars were seen in an otherwise empty parking lot outside an entrance to the mall that appeared to be under construction.

Police assured there is no immediate danger to the community and asked people to avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.