Shot accidentally fired in King of Prussia Mall sending shoppers into panic

Some tense moments Tuesday night inside the popular King of Prussia Mall in Montgomery County after a gunshot went off.

At about 7:21 p.m., Upper Merion police responded to a report of a gunshot at the mall, outside of the downstairs food court.

"We just heard the gunshot and then we saw everybody just running," mall worker Ciarra Bennett said.

Police Chief Thomas Nolan said this caused a panic and people ran from the area or got locked down in surrounding stores.

"In that area it is complete panic," Nolan told reporters. "People are running, people are sheltering in place, but they are doing the right things."

An initial search by police found that a gun had been discharged near the Sushi Kiosk outside the food court, but not that anyone was shot.

Through video surveillance, police determined that two men were walking when a shot was fired. Police said they believe it was an accidental discharge while the gun was in one of their pants.

Both men then proceeded to run through the mall and exited by Rite Aid. They then got into a car and fled, police said.

Video evidence also led police to believe that one of the men involved was hit in the lower leg.

Upper Merion Township police were able to talk to the man involved in the accidental discharge over the phone on Wednesday. During the call, the man confirmed that the gun was in his pocket when it went off and he suffered from minor injuries, according to a statement by police.

Police believe the man does have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

No bystanders in the mall were injured.

Police have not released the name of the suspect and it remains under investigation.