Several members of the New York Giants were inside the Mall of America on Friday night when gunshots rang out.
None were injured but a 19-year-old man was left deceased. The players, staffers, and radio announcer, Bob Papa, who were inside the mall were immediately locked down.
Giants team security quickly sent out a “shelter in place” to all remaining executives, coaches, players, and staffers. Those who were staying in the hotel adjacent to the mall were also locked down until the all-clear was given.
“I was in the dining room at the hotel, and so we were locked down there,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “It was a scary situation. Obviously, that’s what you’re concerned about is the guys who were in the mall. Yeah, sad situation, so thoughts to the family of the guy who lost his life, and glad everyone on our team was okay, but certainly kind of a scary situation.”
Wide receiver Darius Slayton and running back Saquon Barkley were also in the hotel’s dining room alongside Jones, but they knew several teammates were inside the mall.
“Your first thought is, obviously, once yourself is safe, you think about your teammates,” Slayton told the Associated Press. “There’s guys that could have been shopping. Some guys in their room, some people are everywhere. So, obviously, your next thought is all your teammates are OK, which they were.”
“I think there was a couple guys in the mall. I’m not quite sure exactly who. But it’s a crazy world out there,” Barkley added.
In addition to the players and staffers, Giants general manager Joe Schoen was also in the mall when the shooting occurred. He was in immediate contact with team security and waited anxiously as position-by-position updates were given on the players.
Ultimately, all Giants were safe and accounted for. They were escorted out of the mall by security and local police.
On Saturday, less than 24 hours after the shooting, Bloomington Police arrested five suspects — two 18-year-old men and three 17-year-old male juveniles.
