One person dead after shooting in Columbia Mall, Maryland as terrified shoppers flee

A person has been shot dead after an altercation at Columbia Mall, Maryland .

There are claims that shots were fired in the mall's food court, but this is yet to be substantiated.

Howard County Police Department took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to confirm reports of a shooting, but said "there are no indications of an active shooter at this time".

They tweeted: "COLUMBIA MALL: One person is deceased after being shot during an altercation inside the mall. There are no indications of an active shooter at this time. Will update."

Howard County Police Department added to The Mirror: "We’ll be posting updates on X and Facebook as the investigation evolves."

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Local residents also took to X in their droves as they warned locals to stay away from the shopping centre.

One social networker tweeted: "There’s an active shooter at the Columbia Mall. They’ve locked it down. I would stay away." While another continued: "Apparently there is an active shooter at Columbia Mall in Columbia, MD. Please pray for everyone's safety and rapid response by authorities!!!!"

A third added: "Walks inside columbia mall only to have to run back out because ppl running our direction yelling he’s about to shoot." A fourth warned: "Active Shooter @ Columbia Mall Columbia MD DO NOT GO."

There seemed to be some confusion though amidst the chaos, with one shoppers taking to X to say the situation was an "active shooter drill" and to thank Sephora employees for "handing out water and snacks to their customers evacuated to the back room".

WBALTV journalist Breanna Ross shared a photo from outside of the mall, as she tweeted: "Police and an ambulance are still on scene here at Columbia Mall. We’re hearing some people are still on lock down inside the mall."