Airdrie RCMP are on the hunt for a suspect dressed in black who fled CrossIron Mills mall Monday after a shooting that sent one person to hospital.
Just after 7 p.m. Monday, Airdrie RCMP and Calgary police responded to a report of an active shooter at the Balzac shopping centre. Once they arrived, police determined the victim was shot in the parking lot outside the mall’s food court entrance.
One person was taken to an undisclosed hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries, RCMP said.
RCMP Insp. Kimberley Pasloske said such a brazen attack in a public place is concerning.
“Happening in such a public place in such a busy time is concerning. It’s concerning to the public. But we were able to attend the scene within minutes and secure the scene and provide for victims or for the patrons and employee safety,” Pasloske told reporters on Tuesday.
Closed-circuit video of the scene is available and police are reviewing it for clues, Pasloske said.
RCMP believe the suspect fled with an accomplice in a 2019 black Dodge Ram, four-door pickup truck in a southbound direction out of the mall parking lot. The suspect wore all black, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie, police said. The suspect had a slender build.
‘Secure in place’ at CrossIron Mills
Pasloske said law enforcement teams were on scene for several hours to ensure a safe evacuation of the mall. They had issued a “secure in place,” which meant those inside the mall were to hold in place until they could be safely removed from their location.
“It was several hours before all civilians were evacuated safely,” Pasloske said, confirming that the mall was clear just before 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Multiple agencies provided support in the situation, with dozens of officers from both the Airdrie RCMP and the Calgary Police Service.
Interviews have been done with numerous witnesses, with still more to speak to, Pasloske said. They’re also expecting people to have video footage on their cellphones they’ll be able to use to piece the events together.
Airdrie Victims Services is also providing support for anyone that was affected by Monday night’s events. Those affected can contact Victim Services at 403-945-7290.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200.
