It was supposed to be an annual Black Friday shopping tradition for Karen Wheaton and her daughters at the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover, Alabama, late Thursday night. But the outing turned black for a different reason.
Al.com reported that one person was killed and two more were injured, including a 12-year-old girl, when gunfire erupted. Al.com reported that authorities said the 12-year-old was alert and conscious this morning at Children’s of Alabama hospital. Hoover police shot and killed the suspect, a Hueytown man.
A Pentecostal preacher and founder of The Ramp ministry in Hamilton, Alabama, Wheaton posted this on Instagram:
Tonight, we arrived at the Birmingham Galleria for our annual mother-daughter tradition of Black Friday shopping into the night and just being together. Shortly after … we heard the sound of a stampede of people running toward us yelling for us tell to run. Then I heard the sound of the gunshot. We found ourselves running out of the mall with hundreds of other people, scared, confused and looking for a place to find safety. Once again, I find myself grateful for our Heavenly Father that directs our steps and shelters us in His love. We are so thankful for the Hoover police department that responded so quickly to subdue the shooter and saved other lives. We pray supernatural healing and recovery for the two young people that were injured in the shooting. We would also appreciate your prayers.
The Riverchase Galleria is the largest mall in Alabama and a popular Black Friday destination for shoppers around the state.
Al.com reported that “the gunfire inside the mall sent shoppers scurrying for cover and city officials described the scene as chaotic.”
The mall re-opened at 6 a.m Friday. Hoover police said they found a handgun on the ground in Santa’s Village but couldn’t confirm any connection to the Thursday night shooting. {eoa}
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