More information has been revealed about Wednesday's shooting at the Maine Mall that wounded one person and caused shoppers to flee.
Police said they are searching for one suspect, Ahmed Basheer Awad, 20, of Westbrook.
South Portland Police Chief Dan Ahern told reporters this morning that events began unfolding at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, when dispatchers received multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting at the mall near the food court.
“When shots rang out people were fleeing,” Ahern said, describing images from surveillance footage. “It was a very, very difficult situation.”
Two mall security employees ran toward the area where the gun shots came from and began to help the victim, according to Det. Lt. Christopher Todd
“Two of them provided immediate medical care,” Todd said
Police arrived braced for a mass casualty event, according to Ahern, but learned quickly that was not the case.
Police discovered the shooting was “an isolated incident between two individuals,” Ahern said.
First responders arrived to find a male in his late 20s with a gunshot wound to his upper right leg that had been hemorrhaging, according to Fire Chief Phil Selberg.
Mall staff had applied a tourniquet to the wound, and the victim was sent to Maine Medical Center where he underwent surgery.
The mall was closed shortly after the shooting and police began a “slow, methodical search” inside the mall, while workers remained locked in their businesses, according to Ahern.
Outside, members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped block off entrances to parking areas.
“It was a very difficult operation,” Ahern said, noting that the Maine Mall is the largest mall in Maine, with 15 separate entrances, making it difficult to secure.
Control of the mall was transferred back to mall staff at 7:30 p.m.
Selberg described the response by EMS and all responders as textbook.
“It’s exactly how we trained,” Selberg said.
The response from EMS likely saved the victim’s life, Ahern said.
Ahern praised the response from surrounding local and county law enforcement, as well as the ATF and FBI.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUSPECT
Awad allegedly left the mall in a silver four-door sedan shortly after shots were fired, according to Ahern.
“We are still trying to locate him and bring him into custody,” Ahern said.
Ahern said there was no danger to the public, saying “I don’t think anyone should be worried,” but at the same time noted Awad “should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Police were hoping to find Awad’s location by the end of the day Thursday, Ahern said.
“We’re not sure he’s even in the state of Maine,” Ahern said.
Ahern would not say whether police believed Awad was alone or had someone helping him.
Police said they have a warrant for Awad for elevated aggravated assault, a class A crime punishable by up to 30 years incarceration and a $50,000 fine.
Other charges may be forthcoming after the district attorney reviews the case, Ahern said.
Police had encountered Awad once before while in his vehicle, but Ahern did not elaborate.
Police did not recover the firearm used in the shooting.
The connection between Awad and the victim was still unclear Thursday morning.
The victim is “stating he doesn’t know” Awad, Ahearn said. “The victim is not telling us very much.”
The victim “is doing well” after surgery Ahern said.
Anyone with information about Awad or the shooting is asked to contact Todd at (207) 799-5511 Ext. 7448 or christo@southportland.gov.
Anonymous tips can be left at (207) 347-4100.
This is a developing story.