The quiet hum of Friday evening shopping at Westgate Mall in Spartanburg, South Carolina, shattered just before 7 p.m. on May 2, 2025, when gunfire erupted near the bustling food court. Shoppers, who moments earlier were browsing stores or grabbing a meal, found themselves running for cover as the sound of shots sent panic rippling through the crowd. Three people were injured, their lives upended in an instant by a violent confrontation that authorities are now working to unravel. For the families and witnesses caught in the chaos, the memory of those terrifying moments will linger, a stark reminder of how quickly safety can be stripped away.
The Spartanburg Police Department responded swiftly to reports of gunfire at the mall, located at 205 W. Blackstock Road, arriving at approximately 6:40 p.m. Officers discovered a scene of disarray, with evidence of a heated dispute that had spiraled into gunfire. According to investigators, two groups clashed near the food court entrance, a busy hub where families and friends often gather. The altercation escalated when at least one individual pulled a firearm and opened fire, striking three people. One victim suffered a gunshot wound to the foot, while the other two sustained minor injuries, all described as non-life-threatening. Emergency medical teams transported the victims to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where they received treatment.
As the shots rang out, the mall descended into chaos. Witnesses described a frantic scramble as shoppers ducked under tables or fled toward exits. Some sought refuge in nearby stores, where employees quickly locked doors and ushered customers to safety. Businesses across the street from the mall were also instructed to go on lockdown, a precaution to ensure the situation was contained. The sight of dozens of police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks converging on the scene underscored the gravity of the moment, as law enforcement worked to secure the area and assist those affected.
The Spartanburg Police Department, with support from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, including K-9 units and SWAT personnel, moved decisively to apprehend those responsible. By the end of the evening, two suspects were in custody, though their identities and specific roles in the incident have not been disclosed. Authorities have emphasized that this was not an active shooter situation but rather a targeted altercation that spiraled out of control. Major Art Littlejohn, a spokesperson for the police department, reassured the public that the immediate threat had been neutralized, but the investigation remains active as detectives piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Westgate Mall, a regional shopping center that opened in 1975, has long been a cornerstone of the Spartanburg community, drawing visitors from across the Upstate with its anchor stores like Belk, Costco, Dillard’s, and JCPenney. The facility, which spans nearly a million square feet, was purchased by New York-based Namdar Realty Group in 2024 after its previous owners faced financial difficulties. For many residents, the mall is more than a place to shop—it’s a gathering spot for families, teenagers, and retirees alike. The shooting has shaken that sense of familiarity, leaving some, like two young women who spoke to local media, hesitant to return after witnessing shattered glass and blood on the floor as they were escorted to safety by police.
Community leaders and law enforcement are now grappling with the broader implications of the incident. While the injuries were not life-threatening, the psychological toll on those present cannot be understated. Local organizations are mobilizing to offer mental health resources for traumatized witnesses, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the full scope of the altercation and whether additional individuals were involved.
For now, the people of Spartanburg are left to process the shock of violence intruding on a familiar space. As the investigation continues, the hope is that answers will bring clarity and a renewed sense of security to a community shaken by an evening that began like any other but ended in fear. Updates will be shared as new details emerge, but for those who were there, the echoes of those gunshots will not soon fade.