Hermitage Precinct detectives are being assisted by the Specialized Investigations Division’s Gang Unit as they work to identify the man who fired three shots and wounded a member of an apparent rival group Wednesday night in a hallway of Opry Mills Mall about 100 yards from the food court.
The gunfire occurred at 6:10 p.m. and involved one group of three people and another group of five. As the two groups approached each other from opposite directions, a man in the group of three suddenly pulled a pistol and opened fire. A 19-year-old who was in the group of five suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and is being treated at a local hospital. After the shooting, those with the victim ducked for cover. Some also pulled guns. The man who shot the 19-year-old fled from the mall. One of those with the victim helped him out of the building and into the parking lot where he was found by first responders.
Hermitage Precinct officers arrived quickly and worked to clear and secure the mall.
Officers recovered two pistols (one of them reported stolen) in the parking lot outside the cinema.
Anyone recognizing the shooter, a black man wearing a blue mask, or the two people standing with him when he opened fire, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
