`Armed subject` fatally shot at packed US shopping mall

Off-duty officers confronted an armed man inside the packed Northlake Mall in Charlotte on Christmas Eve, police said. Off-duty officers inside the mall responded, and an armed person was shot by one of the officers.

The shooting at the Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina occurred following an altercation between two groups, according to a police department press release.

Witnesses say they heard several shots fired and shoppers ran toward the exits.

A medic says one person suffered a leg injury.

In 2009, Northlake launched a curfew requiring adult supervision for anyone under age 18 on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m.

Twitter users reported the mall was being evacuated, while others reported they were hiding inside locked stores.

WBTV, Charlotte, cited sources who said a police officer inside the mall shot and killed the shooter.

One people pulled a gun and opened fire and injured one of the men, various reports quoted witnesses as saying.

Emergency officials said paramedics rushed at least three people to nearby hospitals.

One woman uploaded a clip to YouTube describing how she heard “several” gunshots “really close” to her as she fled the scene.

Police are asking people looking for lost relatives at the mall to go to the AMC Movie Theater parking lot.

Her first thought, she said, was: “Am I going to die?”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.