Off-duty police officer fatally shoots suspect at North Carolina mall

Local authorities are investigating the incident

Authorities respond to a shooting at Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina (Steve Reed/Associated Press)

Shots broke out inside the Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.

Local media reports that an officer-involved shooting occurred at 2pm that left a gun-wielding suspect dead.

Police officers and paramedics responded to the scene on Thursday as shoppers were seen running outside the shopping centre, WSOC-TV reports.

Three people were reportedly treated for injuries: one with a leg injury and one who went into labor.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they are currently investigating the officer-involved shooting.

"Preliminary information on scene indicates that an argument started inside the mall between two groups of subjects around 2:00 p.m., at which point officers who were working off-duty at the mall arrived on scene," CMPD officials said in a statement.

"There was one armed subject that was shot during the altercation and he was pronounced deceased on scene by Medic. No officers were injured during this shooting."

Officials stressed that the incident was not an active shooter situation but encouraged shoppers and pedestrians to gatger at the AMC parking lot to reunite with family members.

Northlake mall and security officials were not immediately available for comment.