GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (NBC 26) — Police are searching for a 17-year-old suspect after a shooting at Fox River Mall left one person dead Sunday.
Multiple law enforcement agencies across the Fox Valley responded to a shooting at the Fox River Mall around 3:30 p.m. At the scene, people were seen exiting the mall with their hands out, walking to the police.
A 23-year-old employee was working at the Pink-Victoria Secret store inside the mall when the shooting occurred. She says she just could not believe what was going on.
"And I started to turn back to the food court and that’s when I started to see everyone was running away from the food court. And that’s when it kind of clicked into my head that okay there is something going on. And then I thought this couldn’t have been a shooting. This is Appleton. This doesn’t happen in Appleton", said Akira Hietpas.
Officers confirmed two people were hurt from the shooting. One victim who sustained non-life threatening injuries was treated and released. The second victim, identified as 19-year-old Jovanni J. Frausto, died as a result of his injuries.
Police said they are looking for 17-year-old Dezman V. Ellis. This event is believed to have been a targeted incident and Ellis is believed to be armed and dangerous, according to authorities.
Public Information Officer Travis Waas with the Grand Chute Police Department said police believe the suspect fled before law enforcement had arrived.
Officer Waas said people were still being evacuated and police were about 85% through their detailed search of the mall as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
