Daijiworld Media Network - Connecticut

Waterbury, May 28: A gunman opened fire at the Brass Mill Centre mall on Tuesday afternoon, injuring five people and triggering chaos as shoppers and staff scrambled for safety. Authorities say the suspect remains at large, though the shooting is believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute.

Police responded swiftly to reports of gunfire at around 4:40 p.m., prompting an evacuation of the mall and a large-scale emergency response. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed that all five victims were hospitalized, but did not disclose the severity of their injuries.

Initial investigations suggest the shooter is a man in his 20s who used a semiautomatic pistol. According to Spagnolo, the suspect knew the victims, and the violence followed a verbal altercation that escalated rapidly.

“We do not believe this was a random act of violence,” Spagnolo told reporters during a press briefing outside the mall. “There is no ongoing threat to the public.”

He commended mall employees and shoppers for staying calm and sheltering in place, which he said helped prevent the situation from becoming even worse.

“I think they mitigated a lot of what could have been a really bad incident here,” Spagnolo said. “Unfortunately, these acts occur. It’s the society we live in at times. But we can’t let it get us down.”

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont expressed his condolences and confirmed that state police are assisting with the investigation. “Our hearts break for the Waterbury community, the victims, and their families who have been impacted by this incident,” Lamont said in a statement.

The Brass Mill Centre, located just off Interstate 84, sits approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Hartford, the state capital. Authorities continue to search for the suspect and are reviewing surveillance footage from the mall.