Police say 10 hurt, suspects fled after two groups shot at each other inside Mall of Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — At least 10 people were injured Thursday as two groups of people opened fire at each other inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, police said.

Some of those responsible fled the scene as a huge police response arrived. No one was immediately in custody.

“To the thugs that did this, we’re going to catch you.” Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards said.

Police Chief TJ Morse said two groups argued inside the food court and started shooting at each other.

“Unfortunately there were some innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds,” he said.

Ten people were at local hospitals with various injuries, Morse said, and at least two needed surgery. The chief appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting.

“Right now there is no known threat to the public,” he said. “Right here is the safest place in Baton Rouge.”

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he was aware of the shooting and advised the public to avoid the area.

A WBRZ-TV employee said she was among mall patrons who were taken to a safe holding area.

“I drove up and walked in right after the shooting,” Nikki Lee told the TV station. “There was already a helicopter and already lots of police officers going through the parking lots.”

It’s the second instance of gun violence in Louisiana this week. A father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in an attack on his family Sunday morning that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood, police said. Two women, including the gunman’s wife who was the mother of their children, were critically wounded.

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AP reporters Jack Brook in New Orleans and Jim Mustian in Natchitoches, Louisiana, contributed to this story.