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The shooting took place in the mall parking lot, with no known victims
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The shooting took place in the mall parking lot, with no known victims

A bullet casing lies on the concrete outside Prien Lake Mall after a shooting on Nov. 2,...
A bullet casing lies on the concrete outside the Prien Lake Mall after a shooting on November 2, 2024.(KPLC)

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – A shooting occurred in the Prien Lake Mall parking lot Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

Bullet casings were seen on the ground in the area outside the entrance to Versona, but officials with the Lake Charles Police Department said no injuries were reported. Investigators called area hospitals to check if the shooting victims were brought there by private means.

Police searched and cleared the mall which has now reopened, although some shops are choosing to close for the day.

Police at the scene said it was not an “active shooter” situation.

Lake Charles police surrounded the entrance to Versona and the Calcasieu Sheriff’s Office responded to the area around Dillard.

While some described a chaotic scene, there were also reports of shoppers walking around casually with their shopping bags.

According to Ouachita Parish school officials, there were members of the Ouachita High School band who were locked up at the mall because of the incident. The band was in Lake Charles before their performance at the Sulfur Marching Band Festival today. Officials say all students are safe and accounted for, although the incident delayed their performance at the festival.