WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — UPDATE: A man who was shot inside Hanes Mall was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Winston-Salem police.
Winston-Salem police said an argument led to a shooting Tuesday afternoon between two men inside Hanes Mall.
Police said one of the men involved in the shooting was also shot in the arm. Officers said the shooting happened just inside the food court entrance around 1:52 p.m. The man who was shot was discovered outside near the Golden Corral restaurant. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooting prompted a lockdown at Hanes Mall as police investigated. Officials said the north side of the mall has reopened. However, the south side of the mall will remain closed until further notice.
"I kind of just froze," Tori Barker said.
Barker, who lives in Kernersville, came to the mall to do some shopping Tuesday. She was inside Maurices when she heard several gunshots. She and others in the store hid in a back room for about 45 minutes.
"I was just thankful that my kids weren't with them because I wouldn't know how to explain that to them," Barker said. "I was afraid. I was ready to get out of there and just go to my car."
It's the second time in two years police have responded to a shooting at the mall. In November 2020, WSPD said a gun went off during a fight between teenagers.
A bullet grazed one person's face and three were arrested.
Police said Tuesday officers monitor the parking lot often and the mall uses off-duty officers on the weekends. Barker isn't sure there's much more that can be done to secure the mall.
"If someone is going to have a gun, they're going to have a gun. You can't pat every single person down that walks in the door. That's just the world we live in," Barker said.
She said she does not plan to shop at Hanes Mall again after the experience.
WFMY News 2's Grace Holland reports stores north of JC Penney have reopened along with roads around the mall. Stores south of JC Penney are closed due to the crime scene.
Police are still investigating at this time as they look to identify the other suspect involved in the shooting.
This is a developing, breaking news story. Stay with us for updates.
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