HOOVER – A shooting at the Riverchase Galleria during post-Thanksgiving shopping left one person dead and a local 12-year-old girl with a serious injury.

Two males engaged in a physical altercation on the second floor concourse area of the Riverchase Galleria, near the entrance to Footaction, at 9:52 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22, according to information released by the Hoover Police Department.

During the fight, one of the males produced a handgun and shot the other male twice in the torso.

Two uniformed HPD officers providing security at the mall were in close proximity, heard the gunshots and while moving toward the shooting scene, encountered a suspect brandishing a pistol.

The individual, a 21-year-old from Hueytown, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to HPD.

The first victim, an 18-year-old Birmingham, was transported to UAB Hospital by ambulance in serious condition.

A 12-year-old female innocent bystander, who is a student at Calera Middle School, was wounded by gunfire.

She was transported to Children’s Hospital by a Hoover Fire Department rescue unit and was in stable condition, according to the release.

Julie Moore Bennett, a Shelby County Schools employee, posted about the incident on Facebook.

“She said that her back hurt but didn’t even realize she had been shot until she overheard my mom telling me on the phone,” Bennett’s post read. “A military medic took care of her until the paramedics arrived. A nurse came to help, and assured my mom that the medic was doing everything exactly right. The shoe store employees allowed the medic to use a shirt off the rack to hold pressure on the wound, and they brought a jacket to cover Molly when she got cold.

“There were so many kind people taking care of us and telling us what was going on. Firefighters, police, doctors, nurses, a chaplain and more…They were all amazing.”

Doctors determined the bullet did not damage any internal organs and that there was no internal bleeding.

“I am so thankful for everyone who helped us, for those who were at the hospital with us, and for all the messages and prayers,” Bennett’s post read. “Yeah, bad guys are out there. But what I learned from this is that there are so many more good guys and girls who are willing to go above and beyond to help a stranger in need. I love every single one of you!”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case at the request of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.