Shooting at N.J mall: alleged shoplifter holds person hostage, killed by police

An alleged shoplifter armed with a knife has been killed inside a clothing store after being confronted and took a person hostage at the Woodbridge Center Mall.

The incident took place around 5.p.m. in the Hollister store in the Sears wing of the Woodbridge Center Mall.

According to NJ.COM:

The sources said a shoplifter was confronted by mall security in the clothing store, prompting the shoplifter to pull out a knife and hold a person hostage with the knife held at the person’s throat.

A Woodbridge police officer arrived at the scene and shot the suspect dead, the sources said. It was unclear how many shots were fired. The hostage was not injured, according to the sources.

It was not immediately known if the police officer was on duty or off-duty.

Investigators from the Woodbridge Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office are at the scene investigating the shooting, News 12 New Jersey is reporting. A teenager told News 12 that he heard several shots fired.

Tyler Bruno, a witness interviewed by News 12, said he saw a scene of “total chaos,” with people running outside the mall and into the Sears parking lot, warning shoppers not to go inside.

James O’Neill, a spokesman for the county prosecutor’s office, said the state Attorney General’s office has been notified about the shooting, which is routine policy for shootings involving police.