TWO KILLED IN SHOOTING AT DEARBORN SHOPPING MALL

A shooting between two groups of young people at Fairlane Town Centre in Dearborn, Michigan, killed two people and injured a third on Friday, according to Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. The altercation began when the groups encountered each other at the mall, escalated into a fight, and then gunfire. Members of both groups were armed with handguns, Shahin said. One victim died inside the shopping centre; the second died at a nearby hospital. A third person was hit by a vehicle outside the mall whilst attempting to flee.

Shahin stated the shooting was not a random act, as the two groups knew each other beforehand. People believed to be connected to the altercation were questioned at the police station, though no one was immediately taken into custody at the time of the chief's statement. Video posted to social media showed patrons running from the centre as gunshots sounded. Fairlane Town Centre contains more than 125 stores and restaurants and was evacuated following the incident.

Police announced plans to keep the mall closed during their investigation. Michigan State Police Specialist Lieutenant Tyhrann Howard confirmed the state agency was assisting Dearborn police with the case. Dearborn is a suburb located approximately 15 kilometres west of Detroit, with a population exceeding 100,000 residents.