What was supposed to be a normal afternoon of shopping turned into a tense and chaotic day at Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina. Within just a few hours, the mall became the scene of both a fire and a shooting incident, rattling shoppers and raising urgent concerns about public safety.
Bush Fire Sparks First Alarm
The first sign of trouble came around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, when smoke started rising outside the old Sears building, which is currently vacant and undergoing construction. Witnesses say flames were spotted in the bushes lining the front of the building. Several people rushed to alert mall security and called 911.
Fire crews from the Greenville City Fire Department responded quickly and had the flames under control within minutes. Luckily, the fire didn’t spread to nearby businesses, and no injuries were reported. The source of the fire is still being looked into, but early signs point to it being unintentional and unrelated to the construction activity.
Despite the commotion, the mall remained open, and shoppers were allowed to continue their visits while emergency responders cleared the area.
Shooting Incident Shocks Evening Crowd
Just a few hours later, things took a much more serious turn. Police say a group of teenagers got into a fight with a restaurant worker inside the mall. The confrontation spilled out into the parking lot, and that’s when someone pulled out a gun and fired at least one shot.
Panic spread instantly. Several shoppers described hearing the gunfire and ducking for cover. “I grabbed my kids and ran,” one mother told local news reporters. “We didn’t even look back—we just ran to the car.”
Thankfully, no one was hit. Police were able to track down the suspects shortly after the incident during a traffic stop. Officers found a firearm believed to be connected to the shooting and took several people into custody. Charges have not yet been announced, and the investigation is still active.
Fear and Frustration Among the Community
Many in the community were left shaken, especially since the two incidents happened so close together. Some business owners in the mall expressed concern over safety, saying these kinds of events are becoming more common.
“We’re just trying to do our jobs and take care of customers,” said one employee who didn’t want to be named. “It’s hard to focus when you’re worried about what might happen next.”
Parents also voiced concern, particularly with the mall being a frequent hangout spot for teenagers. Several called for increased security patrols and better monitoring of the premises.
Mall Remains Open But Questions Linger
Mall management has yet to release an official statement about either incident. However, local police confirmed that operations resumed as normal after both events and that there’s no ongoing threat to the public.
Still, many shoppers are left wondering if they’ll feel safe returning. “It just makes you think twice,” said one longtime Greenville resident. “That mall has been around for years, and you never expect something like this to happen right in your backyard.”
What’s Next?
Authorities are urging anyone who saw what happened to come forward as investigations into both the fire and the shooting continue. In the meantime, the city is grappling with how to restore a sense of safety in one of its busiest public spaces.
What unfolded at Haywood Mall was more than just two isolated incidents—it was a wake-up call. For many in Greenville, it’s a reminder of how quickly normal can turn into chaos, and why vigilance and community support are more important than ever.
