Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department police officers responded to the parking lot of Charlotte Premium Outlets on late Friday afternoon after witnesses said that two males were fighting and that they heard gunshots.
LATEST | At Charlotte Premium Outlets covering a shots fired call. @CMPD says no one actually shot. The mall is not on lock down or closed. Shoppers still milling about as officers investigate in the parking lot. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/G5namyt1yG
— Jonathan Lowe (@JonathanUpdates) November 10, 2023
A victim told police that someone was sitting inside their vehicle, trying to steal it. A struggle ensued and the suspect fired a shot.
“I had just got here when everything started popping off,” shopper Nate Ballarini told Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe.
No one was struck but the suspect pistol-whipped the victim, CMPD said.
Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and saw multiple CMPD units and a MEDIC vehicle outside of the outlet mall in south Charlotte.
Officers seemed to be focused on a Red Dodge Charger.
“Everybody started running out, and people started trying to zigzag and get out,” Ballarini said.
MEDIC told Channel 9 that no one was taken to a hospital and no one was shot.
There have not been any arrests.
The mall was operating normally but part of the parking lot was blocked off with crime scene tape. There wasn’t a lockdown.
“I had no idea when I went in,” Ballarini said. “There wasn’t anything but a security guard. There were no police at all. We just went on in and shopped.”
Police will continue to monitor the area.
This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates.
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