22-year-old man cited in connection with firearm going off at Crabtree Valley Mall

According to Raleigh police, shoppers were initially startled by a loud noise. Many quickly scattered to get to safety, including a man carrying a concealed weapon, who shot himself by accident while moving towards safety.

Allan Osvaldo Hernandez, 22, has been cited with discharging a firearm in the city limits and carrying a concealed weapon.

Police did not disclose how or why the weapon was fired.

Employees at the mall said multiple stores were locked down.

A woman said she was able to take shelter inside a Bath and Bodyworks after getting trampled in the chaos.

"They had their door shut and they opened it and let us in," the woman said. "They were amazing. We were there for two hours. They gave us water and food and took care of us. We were so grateful."

People ran for cover, including a mother of three who was trampled.

"I was terrified," she said. "I was thinking, I have nowhere to run. If I run out, I'll leave the baby and my mom behind. My daughters were in the store next door."

Police said the man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. An investigation is underway.

The mall clearly states that firearms are not allowed on property.

“In fact, it is against the law. Even if you have a carry and conceal permit to carry it in to a public place like that, it is clearly posted for people not to bring firearms in," says Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman.

Freeman says charges with largely depend on where the man had a permit. She says he may have to forfeit the firearm and pay fines.

“Certainly, in this particular situation, we were very lucky that nobody was injured," she said. "In other situations, had somebody else been injured by this, there’s a wide range of things that could potentially be charged or civil liability."