A number of people have been injured in a shooting inside a US shopping mall, police have confirmed.
Local police forces in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, say several people were injured amid reports of shots being fired at around 2.30pm local time (7.30pm UK time).
The Columbiana Centre, on Harbison Boulevard, was being evacuated as officers scoured the area for the shooter, later detaining three people.
Columbia Police Deputy Chief Melron Kelly told reporters multiple people have been shot, but there are no fatalities.
During a press conference held near the scene Police Chief Holbrook told reporters the three people detained knew each other and that 10 people suffered gunshot wounds.
The victims are aged between 15 and 73. Two further people were injured in the stampede the incident caused.
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He said: "Three people have been detained. At least three people were seen with firearms in the mall, one was seen shooting a weapon although that may change.
"We know we currently have 12 injured, with no fatalities. Ten suffered gunshot wounds. Two are in a critical but stable condition, the rest are stable. Two were injured in the stampede.
"I want to thank people for their courage, the work of security teams was invaluable."
Deputy Chief Kelly said: "Officers are going store to store and closet to closet searching for someone with a weapon."
Earlier today a number of mall employees were told to remain inside while police arrange for an escort out.
A security guard at the mall, J. Canty, said staff had grouped together near Belk.
Cindy Paris Rectenwald and her daughter Rachel were in the mall food court when the shooting started and the mum initially hid under a table.
Ms Rectenwald told the publication they thought it was rain hitting the glass roof at first and then saw people running towards them.
She described seeing people "screaming and yelling" as they dashed for the exit doors in the food court.
The pair lost each other in the crowd and Ms Rectenwald got under a table, but on spotting her daughter she was beckoned to "come on" and they made it outside.
She said the gun sounded like an automatic weapon.
The Police Department wrote on Twitter at the time: “We have confirmed that people have been injured during the incident — they are receiving medical attention. The extent of injuries are unknown at this time.
"If you need to pick up loved ones, the reunification area is 320 Columbiana Drive - Fairfield Inn. We are working on a transit option to take people who may still be near the mall to the reunification area."
They then added the "Law enforcement teams have been strategically making sure that the Columbiana Centre has been cleared."
Mall employees "told to shelter in place for safety" were escorted out by law enforcement and warned: "DO NOT leave a store until told to do so by proper authorities."
The car park has been closed as dozens of emergency vehicles arrived. An ambulance was seen leaving the area at around 3pm.
One Twitter user said: "Prayers for those at the Columbiana mall."
Another added: "I was having such a good day until I got a phone call that somebody shot up Columbiana Mall.
"My friend had to run for her life to get out of there and I’m so happy she made it out but the victims..."
