Chandler Mall Shooting: 2 Suspects Arrested, Wanted Fugitive Still Loose

A shooting and hostage situation at the Chandler Mall (Chandler Fashion Center) that developed today just outside Phoenix, Arizona, has come to a peaceful end after a tense couple of hours.

We were live at the Chandler Fashion Center Mall early Wednesday afternoon when a heavy police presence overwhelmed the entrances to the mall parking lot. Patrol cars blocked major arteries and intersections of the parking lot entrances, while some smaller side entrances (such as the Best Buy parking lot entrance) remained accessible.

Chandler Mall Evacuated After Shooting: Manhunt Yields Surprising Results

When asked for comment, an unidentified law enforcement officer declined, and advised everyone, "It's time to go." Those inside the mall when it was evacuated were more willing to speak. One witness told us, "There's a guy with a gun in there. The police say he's [contained], but it was pretty chaotic."

The Chandler Mall shooting that prompted the evacuation began when a possible fugitive opened fire on mall security around noon. At that time, the same time we arrived, dozens of police swarmed the area. Flashing lights and several dozen law enforcement officers, includng snipers, SWAT team members and US Marshalls, flooded the Chandler Fashion Center. Mall patrons were evactuated as SWAT helicopters buzzed overhead, and incoming foot traffic to the fashion center was denied.

The Chandler Mall shooting turned into a stand-off with a man police believed was Daniel Munoz Perez, a fugitive who is wanted after being accidentally released by Pinal County Jail on a small bail for attempted murder of a police officer. It has since been confirmed by CNN that the man involved in the Chandler Mall shooting and stand-off today is not Daniel Munoz Perez.

Chandler Mall Shooting: Reports From The Scene

After the initial shots fired inside the mall, the suspect reportedly got into another exchange of fire with police when he reportedly fired at officers outside Sears. A man then reportedly surrendered to authorities, but not before holding two female employees of a nearby Baja Fresh restaurant hostage.

As of press time, we are waiting for official comment from sources close to Chandler PD, but it appears the suspect in the Chandler Mall shooting has been apprehended, but is not the man US Marshalls were looking for. Again, Daniel Munoz Perez was erroneously released Dec. 16 following a Dec. 10 shooting incident when he fired at Arizona DPS officers, Pinal County authorities say proper paperwork wasn't filed, and Perez was accidentally let go on a bail of just over $300. He is still on the run. The suspect in today's mall shooting has not yet been identified.

Update: According to ABC News, two suspects have reportedly been arrested in connection with today's events. It now appears the Baja Fresh hostage incident and Sears parking lot shoot-out, both at the Chandler Mall this afternoon, may each involve different suspects. Read more here. Details are still coming in, so check back for more updates later.

Source:

Personal accounts
Witness accounts
CNN
ABC News