A 13-year-old boy sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire inside the Westfield Wheaton mall in Maryland on Friday evening. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. when the suspect produced a handgun and fired four shots, striking the younger teen in the leg.
Video footage captured the moment the shooting unfolded in a crowded concourse. The footage showed a group of teenagers walking past the seated suspect. After a brief exchange, the 17-year-old stood, drew a handgun, and fired at the group from less than 15 yards away. The sound of the shots caused widespread panic, with shoppers and bystanders screaming and fleeing the area.
Following the shots, the alleged shooter attempted to flee the scene. He was apprehended by an armed security guard stationed at a nearby Dick's Sporting Goods store, where a firearm was recovered. The suspect was taken into custody, and as of the latest reports, no charges had been officially announced.
Mall workers described hearing the gunshots and the subsequent arrival of law enforcement. One worker reported seeing a young boy being carried out on a stretcher.
The injured 13-year-old victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.