Law enforcement agencies are responding to a developing and serious incident at Wolfchase Galleria Mall, located at 2760 N. Germantown Parkway. Multiple people have reportedly been shot, according to unconfirmed early reports, and the mall has been placed on lockdown. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while the situation unfolds.

A chaotic and frightening scene unfolded at the Wolfchase Galleria Mall in northeast Memphis when gunfire erupted, triggering a lockdown and leaving multiple people hurt. The mall, which is located at 2760 N. Germantown Parkway, was forced into lockdown as shoppers and employees scrambled for safety.

What Happened

* The incident began with a **fight inside the mall**, reportedly taking place near The Cheesecake Factory.
* The confrontation spilled into the parking lot, where **shots were fired**.
* According to Memphis Police, **three people were injured** in the shooting.
* In a more recent incident (2023), **two people were shot**, one critically and one in a non-critical condition, and a third person suffered a medical episode during a separate fracas.
* After the shots, **the mall was evacuated**, and law enforcement conducted a “protective sweep” to secure the area.

### Arrests and Investigation

* In an earlier version of the incident (2017), **seven people were arrested**, including six juveniles.
* Among those arrested, **some suspects were found with weapons**, while others were charged for disorderly conduct.
* One of the arrested individuals, **Marquice Lester (23)**, was linked to a known gang (“Fam Mob”) and charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession.
* According to police, the gun used in the shooting was found outside the mall.

### Victims

* In the 2017 incident:

* A 17-year-old male was grazed by a bullet.
* A 43-year-old woman was knocked down during the chaos and treated in hospital.
* A 15-year-old girl was also injured after falling in the scramble and was taken to a local medical center.
* In the 2023 incident:

* One man was critically wounded and taken by ambulance.
* Another was shot and taken to a hospital by private vehicle, but in non-critical condition.
* A third person — a woman — suffered a “medical episode” and was hospitalized in non-critical condition.

### Response and Aftermath

* Mall employees reportedly followed **evacuation and lockdown procedures**, locking down stores, sheltering shoppers, and helping maintain calm.
* Memphis Police increased patrols in and around the mall in the aftermath of the incident.
* Mall management has expressed concern for public safety and said they are cooperating closely with law enforcement.
* The investigation into the origins of the fight, the identities of suspects, and the exact sequence of events remains ongoing.

### Broader Context

* Wolfchase Galleria is a large regional shopping center, managed by **Simon Property Group**, with more than 100 stores and a food court.
* This is not the first time gun violence has disrupted the mall. Previous incidents, including a Black Friday shooting, have raised concerns about security.
* The recurring violence has triggered discussions about increasing security measures, like metal detectors or more frequent patrols.