Shooting ends at Riverchase Galleria

Police confirmed Friday that a man was shot in the arm during a physical altercation inside the Riverchase Galleria. Hoover Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired near 12 p.m. in the food court area.

Investigators determined the shooting was not random. Early evidence suggests the suspect and the victim knew each other and engaged in a fight that escalated into a gun discharge. The injured man was transported to a hospital for treatment and has since been released.

A store manager located just outside the food court stated that the mall went on lockdown for just over an hour. She described officers sweeping the area up and down the corridors. Parts of the mall near the incident site remained closed for approximately two hours before normal operations resumed.

Hoover city officials held a news conference shortly after the incident. They stated that every resource available to the police department is deployed to locate those responsible. Detectives have gathered leads, and officials expressed confidence that suspects will be identified and apprehended quickly.

City representatives noted this is the first non-fatal shooting in Hoover this year and the first major incident at the Riverchase Galleria in more than five years. Mayor Derzis, who previously served as police chief, was quoted in a city statement. He said, “Much like when Mayor Derzis was police chief, if you come to Hoover to commit a crime, we will find you and arrest you.”

Historical data shows four shootings have occurred at the mall over the past eight years, three of which were fatal. In 2018, a fight near Footaction and JCPenney stores resulted in one death and two injuries. In 2019, Zachariah Taylor Music was shot and killed in a parking deck. Royta Giles was shot and killed in 2020 while standing with his mother.

Hoover police said there is no active threat. Anyone with information about the shooting should call 205-739-7440. Citizens can also call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 to remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.