DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — According to initial reports from dispatch, reported gunfire at Wiregrass Commons Mall prompted a large law enforcement response around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Customers and employees, including those inside Dillard’s, were evacuated as officers with the Dothan Police Department and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office secured the property. Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza also responded to the scene.
According to initial reports, officers conducted a thorough search of the mall but did not locate any shooting victims.
Investigators found shell casings near Entrance 4 on the back side of the mall in the parking lot. According to visual findings from the scene, investigators recovered more than 30 shell casings from multiple different type firearms. Authorities have not officially confirmed the number of shell casings recovered or the number of weapons involved. Two vehicles parked near that entrance were also struck by gunfire.
Initial reports indicated some employees hid inside store closets while officers searched the building.
There were also initial reports that a suspect was seen running through one of the mall’s stores and left the building. Several individuals were reportedly detained for questioning and taken into custody, but authorities have not confirmed whether any arrests have been made or whether those detained were involved in the shooting.
One suspect reportedly lost their shoes while fleeing the area.
Crime scene tape was placed around vehicles parked at Entrance 4 while investigators processed the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Dothan police have not yet released additional information regarding suspects.
WDNews will continue to provide updates as more confirmed information becomes available.
