Two individuals have died following a shooting that wounded three people at Fairlane Town Center mall in Dearborn, Michigan, after an apparent altercation between two parties who knew each other, police confirmed. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on July 3, as the mall was bustling with families shopping ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend.
Police Response and Casualties
Dearborn Police swarmed the mall near Evergreen Road and Michigan Avenue after reports of gunfire. Video footage shows people fleeing in terror as shots rang out, with store shutters pulled down. Emergency services transported victims to hospitals. A police officer stated: “Three gunshot victims and two have passed away.” One victim died at the scene, another succumbed to injuries at a hospital.
At a press conference, the officer added: “Our investigation is at a preliminary stage, but it appears that this was not a random act of violence; it seems to have been between two parties who knew each other at the mall. A fight began to escalate leading to gunfire, it appears both parties had firearms. We have a number of them at the station and we are interviewing them.”
Witness Accounts and Lockdown
Gabrielle, a store owner at the mall, told Fox 2 Detroit: “It seemed like it would be a nice day, the parking lot was fuller than normal with people. I had two young women in the store so we herded them up when we heard the shots, we closed the gate, and went into the backroom. I heard three loud noises, people running, then a couple more shots — it may have been five or six, it was so sudden, my store is tucked away in the corner so I couldn't see what was happening, it was just the noises.”
Shopper Weston Fantroy was buying a birthday gift for his daughter when he heard four or five gunshots and saw people panicking, prompting him to flee. Another woman at the mall with her daughter said: “It's sad, it is really sad, I'm praying for the families because there were kids in the mall they will have seen what happened.”
Official Statements and Investigation
Earlier, Dearborn Police released a statement: “This is an active and ongoing investigation. We are asking residents and visitors to avoid the area while officers secure the scene and investigators conduct their work.” Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud urged on Facebook: “Please stay clear of Fairlane Mall while police secure and investigate this incident.” Police have not released the identities of the victims or suspects, and the investigation continues.
