Law enforcement has started to release more details about what happened at the Maine Mall Wednesday afternoon when one man was shot near the food court and taken to the hospital.
South Portland police held a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the investigation.
Here’s what we know:
Police have identified the suspect as Ahmed Basheer Awad, 20, of Westbrook, and issued a warrant for his arrest on a charge of elevated aggravated assault.
According to police, Awad was seen on surveillance video leaving through the food court exit at about 3:45 p.m., about 15 minutes before South Portland police first alerted the community.
South Portland Police Chief Chief Daniel Ahern said he left in a silver four-door sedan. He was last known to be living out of his car.
As of Thursday morning, Awad has not been located and should be considered armed and dangerous. Ahern said the department is not sure if he’s still in the state. He would not answer a question about whether police believe his is alone.
The first 911 calls were placed around 3:40 p.m.
The shooting was in the bathroom near the food court.
Only one person was injured. The male victim, who has not been identified, is in his late 20s, police said.
He was shot in the leg and underwent surgery Wednesday night. He is expected to survive, according to Ahern.
Mall security staff applied a tourniquet to his leg and likely saved his life, Ahern said at a Thursday morning press conference.
The victim told police he does not know Awad, and “is not telling us very much,” Ahern said.
The shooting prompted store employees and shoppers to shelter in place for several hours while police searched the building.
Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident and say the public is not at risk.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Christopher Todd at 207-799-5511 Ext. 7448, or Detective Jeff Levesque at 207-799-5511 Ext. 7435. You can also leave an anonymous tip at 207-347-4100.
This story will be updated.
