University Park Mall employees fear for future, after shooting near Sears

By: Diana Gutierrez

Posted: Mar 27, 2018 6:27 PM EDT

NOW: University Park Mall employees fear for future, after shooting near Sears

MISHAWAKA, Ind.- One person was taken to the hospital, another arrested, after a shooting in the parking lot of Sears at University Park Mall.

This isn’t the first shooting at the mall, however. Last June, there was a shooting outside Bar Louie, which left one young man dead.

For Monday evening’s shooting, Mishawaka PD says the victim is a woman. She’s being treated for non-life threatening injuries.The suspect, a male, is currently in custody.

While we wait for more information from police, ABC57 talked with a Macy’s employee who now fears for the future.

“I felt terrified you know, just knowing that your life is at stake,” says April Hernandez. “It’s hard, there are a lot of ‘what if’s.’”

April Hernandez has been working at Macy’s for about four months. She says she was out of work when the shooting happened.

“I found out when friends and family started texting me asking if I was okay,” she says.

According to Mishawaka Police, the call came in around 8:30 Monday night.

“I was honestly shocked how this could happen there, with people around,” says Hernandez.

Hernandez’s friend actually saw the suspect in the parking lot, “She said he was tall, lanky and was wearing a black hoodie.”

According to Hernandez, Macy’s and Sears share a parking lot. Now she says she’ll just have to be more careful.

“I just wouldn’t want to risk it,” she says. “I would want to walk with someone. I don’t like going out by myself anymore.”

Mishawaka Police says this is still an ongoing investigation. More information will be released soon.

University Park Mall sent out this statement…

Our thoughts are with the victim of yesterday's incident. The safety of our shoppers and employees is our first priority. We would like to thank the Mishawaka Police Department in their efforts to apprehend those involved, and for their continued collaboration with us to ensure University Park Mall remains a safe place to work and shop.

After security and safety questions they sent another response.

University Park Mall takes numerous measures, both seen and unseen, to make our property as safe as possible. While it is our policy to keep the details of our security protocol confidential to the public, all of our efforts are closely coordinated with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.