SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said one suspect is detained, and deputies are working to track down another suspect who was involved in a vehicle pursuit before he ran inside of Ingram Park Mall.
Those who are inside of the mall are being asked to shelter in place, as of around 5:30 p.m. Friday.
“This is not an active shooter event. It is unknown if the suspect has a weapon and we are still actively working to identify the suspect,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a news briefing Friday evening the pursuit started around 5 p.m. after a woman in a neighborhood near Potranco and Grosenbacher reported someone was firing shots out of a vehicle.
Fearing for her and her children’s safety, the woman got inside and called 911 and gave the dispatcher a description of the vehicle, according to the sheriff.
Deputies located the vehicle in the area shortly after the report and were able to determine the vehicle was stolen. When they attempted to approach the vehicle, the driver fled and ended up at Ingram Mall after a long pursuit, Salazar said.
The sheriff said the two people inside then bailed out of the vehicle near the side of the mall where H&M is located.
Salazar said deputies were able to detain a 16- or 17-year-old male, but the other person ran into the mall and was later unable to be located.
The suspect’s identity is unknown at this time, but he is described as having a medium build, wearing a black and blue shirt and black shoes. Salazar said he may be armed.
Photo of the suspect: pic.twitter.com/62Ow755ES9
The sheriff said SWAT teams and K-9 units are inside the mall store-by-store, searching for the suspect. However, Salazar said it’s possible the suspect may have already exited the mall.
Salazar is asking people who are in the stores to stay where they are until a SWAT team member can get them.
Deputies are stationed at the mall exits in the meantime, according to Salazar. More than 40 deputies are working the scene, and SAPD and SAFD medic tactical teams are assisting in the response in case there are any people injured.
Salazar said no injuries have been reported at this time. He said no one was injured in the neighborhood where the shots were fired, and it’s possible they were shooting in the air or at a construction site.
The mall is currently closed, as is the parking lot. The public is being asked to stay away from the area.
Anyone who has more information on the suspect or the incident should contact the sheriff’s office at 210-335-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867(STOP). If it’s an emergency, call 911.
This is a developing story and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.