One person died after being shot in a shopping mall parking lot in University City on Sunday afternoon, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Police were called to University Pointe Boulevard near Ikea Boulevard at the University Pointe Mall around 2:45 p.m. Sunday.
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On the spot, the police found a victim with gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Officers attempted to save the victim’s life, but shortly after MEDIC arrived on the scene, he was pronounced dead.
“The first responders arrived very quickly and were able to attempt to save the life of the young man they found in the parking lot, unfortunately when MEDIC arrived and took over the rescue he was pronounced dead,” said CMPD Major Gabe Chickoree.
Normally this mall is very busy, but on Sunday shoppers stopped to find half of the mall’s parking lot blocked off by a criminal gang.
Peaches Brown works at a nearby fast food restaurant and told veteran Channel 9 reporter Glenn Counts she had just seen the victim moments before he was shot dead.
“The guy was sitting inside at first and he was just sitting talking to other patrons,” Brown told Counts, “then he came out, it was an argument that went through the parking lot and it was six shots.”
Customers and employees weren’t the only ones surprised by the senseless violence, Major Chickoree, a resident of University City for 20 years, also felt the effects.
“It’s discouraging that this type of activity is taking place in a very public space full of customers,” Chickoree said.
At this time, the identity of the victim and what led to the shooting is still unknown. Law enforcement may be able to find the suspects using surveillance footage, but are asking anyone with information to call 911.
This is a developing story; come back to www.wsoctv.com for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: One person in hospital after shooting in east Charlotte)