An active shooter has opened fire at a mall in Santa Monica, California, injuring at least one police officer as people trapped inside warn the city has gotten out of control.
Gunshots were heard near the 3rd Street Promenade in the city on Wednesday afternoon.
The shooter remains at large, local authorities said, with a search for the gunman well underway but the mall has been cleared.
Earlier, employees at the mall spoke of the horror of being trapped and waiting to hear more news.
‘We are all still on lockdown. Some people said they heard multiple shots. It’s really scary,’ a salesperson inside Free People located in Santa Monica Place told DailyMail.com.
‘I am inside Nordstroms and we aren’t allowed to leave because of this gunman. It started in the parking structure, parking structure 7, where my car is parked. There’s no way in hell I am going anywhere with some nut job running around,’ Santa Monica local and mother of two Whitney Lieberman told DailyMail.com of the chaos.
It came less than 24 hours after the city declined to bulk up its police force.
‘Last night the Santa Monica City Council voted against hiring new police officers because they said it’s not in the budget and they don’t need it,’ said Kevin Taylor, who is fed up with the way the city is run.
Pastry vendor Kendra Choy agreed that its a sign the city has gone out of control.
‘I was at the Farmer’s Market when I heard all the sirens. It’s absolutely insane that it’s come to this. All the lunatics are making their way to Santa Monica because they know it’s lawless,’ she said.
In a tweet, authorities described the suspect as a black male in his 30s, wearing a dark-colored jacket and black pant.
They said he was ‘armed and dangerous’ and released what is believed to be a photo of him.
‘If you recognize this individual or see someone matching this description, do not approach—call 9-1-1 immediately. A large police presence remains in the area. Additional information will be provided when available.’
It’s not immediately clear whether the injured officer was actually shot, though they have been taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Police have asked that the public avoid the area near the shooting as they continue to investigate.
‘Please avoid the area near Santa Monica Place. Officers are responding to an active situation,’ the department tweeted out.
‘Updates and additional information will be provided once available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.’
Los Angeles’ mass transit authority has closed down the train station in downtown Santa Monica while the investigation is ongoing.
‘We’re working on setting up bus shuttles to run between 17th/SMC and the Downtown Santa Monica Stations. Thank you for your patience,’ they wrote.
This is a breaking news story.