Several people were wounded Saturday afternoon after gunfire broke out at Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina, prompting evacuations and a large law enforcement response at the state’s largest shopping center.
Greenville police said at least two people were taken to a hospital after the shooting, which happened around 1 p.m. local time. Multiple people were detained as authorities worked to determine what led to the incident.
Officials said the scene was active but contained and that there was no continuing danger to the public. Still, police warned that it could take time for first responders to fully clear the mall and complete their investigation.
The Greenville City Fire Department and other law enforcement agencies assisted with evacuations after the shooting. Greenlink, the city’s public transit system, provided an air-conditioned bus for evacuees as shoppers and employees waited outside in the summer heat.
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The mall was closed for an undetermined period following the shooting.
Early reports indicated that the shooting may have followed a dispute, though authorities had not released full details about the circumstances, the people detained or the condition of the victims. Police did not immediately identify the wounded people or announce formal charges.
Haywood Mall is one of the busiest retail centers in South Carolina and serves as a major shopping destination for the Greenville area. The incident caused panic among shoppers and employees as police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene.
Video and photos posted online appeared to show a heavy police presence around the mall, though officials urged the public to rely on confirmed updates from law enforcement as the investigation continued.
The shooting is the latest public safety incident to draw attention to security concerns at large shopping centers. Malls often face complicated emergency responses because of their size, multiple entrances and large numbers of people inside at any given time.
Police said the immediate threat had been contained, but first responders still had to move through the building, assist evacuees and determine whether additional victims or evidence remained inside.
Authorities have not said whether the people detained are suspects, witnesses or persons of interest. Officials also have not released details about the firearm involved or whether more than one person opened fire.
Because the investigation remains in its early stages, the number of victims, possible charges and official account of events could change as police review surveillance footage, interview witnesses and process the scene.
Local and state agencies were assisting Greenville police in the response. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Highway Patrol and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office were also reported to be involved or contacted as the situation developed.
For Greenville residents, the shooting has added to concerns about safety in public places, especially in busy commercial areas where families, workers and shoppers gather on weekends.
Officials have said there is no ongoing public threat, but the mall’s closure and the large emergency response show how quickly a single shooting can disrupt an entire community.
Why It Matters
The shooting matters because Haywood Mall is a major public gathering place and one of South Carolina’s largest retail centers. A shooting in such a busy location can create fear far beyond the immediate victims, affecting shoppers, employees, businesses and the wider community.
The incident also raises questions about mall security, emergency planning and how law enforcement responds when gunfire erupts in crowded public spaces.
What Comes Next
Greenville police are expected to release more information as investigators identify the people involved, determine what caused the shooting and decide whether charges will be filed.
The mall will likely remain closed until authorities finish clearing the scene and management determines when it is safe to reopen.
Videos from the scene showed law enforcement responding at Haywood Mall after gunfire prompted evacuations and left multiple people wounded, according to police.
🚨#BREAKING: OVER A DOZEN SHOTS WERE FIRED INSIDE FOOD COURT IN THE HAYWOOD MALL IN GREENVILLE SC.
PEOPLE BEGAN RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES AND HIDING IN STORES.
ONE PERSON WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE NECK.
MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN CUSTODY.
WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Q9cK3aZ2YX
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 13, 2026
🚨#BREAKING: TWO PEOPLE HAVE JUST BEEN SHOT INSIDE THE HAYWOOD MALL IN GREENVILLE SC.
OFFICERS ARE WORKING TO CLEAR THE MALL.
PLEASE PRAY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Ut5CUcN6RF
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 13, 2026
