Three 17-year-olds assaulted 20-year-old Triangle Town Center worker before shooting, police say

Authorities responded to a shooting on Friday afternoon at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh.

Raleigh police said three 17-year-olds arrived at the mall, and then confronted and assaulted a 20-year-old working there. According to the police, the 20-year-old had a handgun and shots were fired.

The 20-year-old and one of the 17-year-olds remained at the scene until the police arrived, according to the police.

Police said two of the other 17-year-olds ran from the scene, including one who was injured. They arrived at an area hospital, where police were also called.

Raleigh police recovered two handguns at the scene.

Police said three people were shot and taken to the hospital. Police said their injuries are not life-threatening.

Raleigh Police Lt. David Davis said on Friday that two groups exchanged words and a fight ensued. The shooting occurred sometime after that. 

Davis said the victims were connected to the groups and no bystanders were shot.

Triangle Town Center plans to reopen at 1 pm. Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the mall.

The spokesperson said the mall would increase security patrol "by 50%" since Friday for "as long as necessary."

The mall was cleared around 6 p.m. Law enforcement members were searching an apartment complex property near the mall for suspects. Police said there have been no arrests made, though a male was taken for questioning at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Police could not clarify if that development was in relation to the shooting. 

"They were ducking and people were running," Sierra Locklear told WRAL News. "We saw everyone running out of the store. We saw police coming in with big guns and all that."

Several ambulances were seen outside the building. Emergency teams were seen walking into the mall with medical equipment. At least one entrance to the mall was blocked off. 

Raleigh officers were going into the mall with tactical gear and guns. Wake County Sheriff's Office and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers were also at the scene.

WRAL News learned of the shooting around 3:30 p.m.

In a news conference on Friday, Davis said officers are looking to stop incidents like this from happeneing again. 

"We've got to do a better job of intervening before things turn violent," Davis said. 

Coco Parks said she hid inside the mall’s Victoria’s Secret store and saw someone lying motionless after being shot. Parks said she saw three men in masks.

Police said there was no threat to the public.

Those in the area received an emergency alert text message with the following message: ACTIVE SHOOTER at Triangle Town Center. HIDE. LOCK DOORS. STAY INSIDE until further notice. If outside, AVOID the area.

Earlier this month, a shooting at the mall led to a chase and a crash in Wake Forest.

WRAL News has reached out to the mall’s owner, Summit Properties, and asked what is being done to keep Triangle Town Center safe.

A spokesperson said in a statement that they are “working with Raleigh PD to secure the crime scene and will assist law enforcement in any way possible.”

This is a developing story.