Rosemont outlet mall shooting: Police department finds person of interest; man shot and killed at Fashion Outlets of Chicago ID’d

ROSEMONT, Ill. (WLS) — Police have located a person of interest in the Rosemont outlet mall shooting that killed one person an injured at least one other on Friday evening, officials said.

Rosemont police said an “isolated and targeted” shooting took place near the food court inside Fashion Outlets of Chicago just after 7 p.m.

Police said the shooting appears to be targeted between the offender and Joel Valdes, 20, who was shot at the mall and died at the hospital. He was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A 15-year-old girl, discovered inside a bathroom near the food court, was also shot in the wrist, police said. Her condition has since stabilized.

Police said there may have been a third shooting victim who left the area.

Two shooting victims were rushed to local hospitals and were initially reported to be in critical condition.

One firearm was recovered from the scene and is being processed as evidence, police said.

The offender is described as a man in his mid-twenties with a mask covering his face, police said. The offender left the area in a Maroon 2008 Honda with other unknown people. That vehicle was later located out of town along with its owner, who is currently being questioned regarding their involvement in the shooting and is being considered a person of interest.

Witnesses inside the mall said they heard three to five shots fired and saw people rushing for the exit.

WATCH | Witnesses describe running for cover as shots fired inside mall

Two shooting victims were rushed to local hospitals and were initially reported to be in critical condition.

“We heard four gunshots rapidly and within minutes, we just ran,” Gucci store employee Maria Salgado said.

“I noticed that a stroller was ah, had fell over, and it was a kid’s bottle laid out next to the stroller, it was a little girl’s stroller,” witness Stringer Harris said. “And that just told me how serious this matter was. As far as, like, it goes from zero to 60 just that quick. You know, you’re walking down with your family having a good time and shots go off.”

Police said the area is now safe, but Rosemont officers were going from store to store to get shoppers and employees out.

The mall has been released back to management, police said.