GREENWOOD, Ind. — Police say the actions of a Seymour man saved lives after a shooter opened fire in the Greenwood Park Mall Sunday evening.
Around 6 p.m. Sunday, a lone suspect entered the food court of the Greenwood Park Mall. They then shot into the mall, killing three people and injuring two more.
The shooter was shot and killed by a man, later identified as Elisjsha Dicken, who was visiting the mall. The Good Samaritan, as police called him, was armed with a handgun.
Police tell us that Dicken was by the cookie counter, close to the main walkways of the mall. A witness tells us after the shooting, the man moved closer to the downed shooter.
“There was a guy with his pistol held on the bathroom and I believe that guy to have possibly been the guy, to have shot the shooter,” said Mike Wright, a witness to the shooter.
After the shooting, Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison said the real hero is 22-year-old Dicken.
“Investigators are still questioning the individual involved, but it appears that a Good Samaritan that was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter,” said Chief Ison. “I’m going to tell you, the real hero of the day was the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in the food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began.”
Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers also issued a statement, calling the man’s actions heroic.
“As of now, we do not know the shooter’s identity or motive. We do know that someone we are calling the ‘Good Samaritan’ was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed. This person saved lives tonight. On behalf of the City of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation.”
Mayor Mark Myers
Attorney General Todd Rokita also issued a statement, praising the man’s actions.
“The bravery of the armed individual who took action to stop the shooter undoubtedly saved lives, and for that I and many others are grateful.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita via Twitter.
Lawmakers said they were grateful for his actions. In a statement, Senator Mike Braun said he was grateful for the man.
“Praying for families of those killed in a senseless act of violence in Greenwood tonight, and grateful for the brave armed citizen who took action to stop the perpetrator and prevent further tragic loss of life.”
Senator Mike Braun via Twitter
“I am praying for the three victims of the tragedy in Greenwood this weekend and their families. It’s painful to see this sort of senseless violence so close to home. But I’m grateful a good guy with a gun was there to prevent further casualties.”
Representative Jim Banks
Today, we continue to pray for the families of the fallen and those injured in yesterday’s senseless tragedy. Please join me in recognizing the heroism of the citizen who subdued the shooter and whose actions surely prevented further loss of life.
Congressman Jim Baird
“Yesterday, and the coming days will be difficult for the community of Greenwood. I ask everyone to join me in praying for the victims of last night’s tragedy at Greenwood Park Mall, and those who have lost a loved one. We commend not only local and federal law enforcement agencies for their swift and coordinated response, but also the law-abiding Good Samaritan who ended the trajectory of this incident.”
Congressman Greg Pence
Greenwood Park Mall sent the following statement on Monday morning, “We grieve for the victims of yesterday’s horrific tragedy in Greenwood. Violence has no place in this or any other community. We are grateful for the strong response of the first responders, including the heroic actions of the Good Samaritan who stopped the suspect.”
Dick
