Police praise armed bystander who shot and killed gunman who opened fire in Indiana mall, killing 3

An armed civilian shot and killed a gunman on Sunday after he opened fire in an Indiana mall, killing at least three people and injuring two others.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the shooting took place in the early evening at Greenwood Park Mall.

The gunman has been identified as 20-year-old Jonathan Sapirman, who authorities say was facing eviction. Sapirman began shooting after exiting the bathroom, where he had spent about an hour. He was quickly shot and killed by 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken, who was visiting the mall with his girlfriend.

He is believed to have taken out the gunman with a handgun. While Dicken was legally armed, the mall prohibits people from carrying weapons on its property, The Associated Press reports.

“The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began,” said Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison. He added, “Many more people would have died last night if not for a responsible armed citizen.”

Ison said Sapirman used a “a long gun” in the shooting. Investigators found another firearm in the bathroom

According to reports, officers responded to the incident just after 6 p.m. A bomb squad accompanied police after someone reported an unattended backpack in a bathroom nearby, which authorities quickly cleared as safe.

Videos posted online showed a heavy police presence as the mall was evacuated. “You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us,” said Chris Bailey, IMPD assistant chief. “We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.”

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) responded to the incident, saying in a Tweet: “I am monitoring the ongoing investigation in Greenwood, where Indiana State Police are assisting local authorities. Lives were lost today, and I’m thinking about all the victims of this horrible incident, now and in the days and weeks to come.”

Indiana Sen. Todd Young (R) also Tweeted, “Terrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall. Thank you to our law enforcement officers who responded.”