Chandler Mall evacuated after fugitive opened fire in Arizona

[News_Editor]

Chandler Mall evacuated after fugitive opened fire in Arizona

2011-01-06 06:07:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- A fugitive man on Wednesday opened fire at Chandler Fashion Mall in the Phoenix area, the Arizona Republic reported.

The U.S. Marshal's Office has identified the gunman as Daniel Perez, fugitive who was mistakenly freed from custody in a Pinal County jail where he was being held for allegedly shooting at a Department of Public Safety officer.

The U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force was following Perez after was accidentally allowed to make bond and freed on December 16. He was spotted and after noticing the task force team began shooting at about noon.

Deputy Marshals returned fire while pursuing him inside the Chandler Fashion Mall. Security guards started running through the mall telling people to either get down or get into a store. The mall went on lock down.

"None of my guys were hit and I don't think he was hit either," David Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for Arizona, said.

Kyrene Del Sureno Elementary School was placed on lock down at about 12:30 p.m. local time. The school is located southwest of the mall. In addition, the Chandler exit of the Loop 101 was closed.

All stores closed and people were exiting the mall through the employee exit next to Sears. A U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force was outside the Sears but was unable to capture Perez.

About 30 minutes later, shots were heard fired at the Baja Fresh restaurant just north of the mall. Reports surfaced indicating that the man was in the restaurant and had taken hostages.

However, the situation is ongoing and police still has not confirmed if it is indeed Perez inside the restaurant. It's unclear if anyone has been injured.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-06