UPDATE: Eden Prairie Police Release More Details About Mall Lockdown

Originally published 9:14 a.m. August 23rd, 2022

Updated 12:24 p.m. August 23rd, 2022

(KNSI) — A man is dead after shooting himself inside a store at a twin cities mall.

Police were called to Eden Prairie Center at about 7:25 Monday evening for a report of shots fired inside the Scheel’s store.

According to a press release from the Eden Prairie Police Department says a 19-year-old man came into the store and asked to see a firearm. The employee handed over an unloaded semi-automatic handgun and the man fled through the store and appeared to load it as he ran before firing a single shot. Investigators say at this point, it appears he brought his own ammunition into the store.

Dozens of police cars from area departments, sheriff’s departments, fire departments, and a SWAT team all responded to the scene and the mall was placed on lockdown.

Eden Prairie police say it was an isolated incident, but any time there is a report of shots fired, “obviously we want to be able to get a lot of resources to the incident quickly and contain it and that threat.”

The mall is expected to open for business Tuesday.

Earlier this month, one person fired three shots at another group of people at the Mall of America in neighboring Bloomington and fled the scene. No one was hurt in that shooting.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Mental health resources can also be found by clicking here.

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