Gunfire erupted inside an Alabama mall Monday after a police officer attempted to detain a man for shoplifting inside a department store, according to police and multiple published reports.
The suspect, who is being sought, was identified as Jermiah Cecil Johnson, 28, according to NBC 15 News.
Initial reports said no one was injured.
The single gunshot occurred about 11 a.m. at The Shoppes at Bel Air Mall located off Interstate 65 in Mobile.
An officer confronted an armed suspect inside a Dillard's department store, according to reports.
As the officer was detaining the man, a gun reportedly fell to the floor and discharged a single shot.
Police said that is when the suspect escaped from the arresting officer and fled the scene.
No other information was available, although the search for the suspect is continuing.
Authorities have released a surveillance photograph of the suspect.
The incident first was reported Monday by Lagniappe, a weekly newspaper that serves Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Last year, FOX10 News in Mobile reported six violent incidents had occurred at the same mall since 2016.
On July 3, 2018, Mobile Police said two men were arguing inside the mall when one of them fired several shots. No one was hurt, although bullets hit a few store displays.
In June 2016, police said a group of six teenage boys tried to rob someone in broad daylight in the mall's parking lot.
In March 2017, a brawl was reported outside one of the mall entrances.
On Easter Sunday 2017, another shooting took place in the mall parking lot, the station reported.
Another shooting was reported in the mall's parking lot in November 2017.
Mobile police are asking anyone with information about Monday’s incident to call 251-208-7211.
— This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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