Mall of America shooting victim identified as 19-year-old St. Paul resident

The 19-year-old man who was shot dead at the Mall of America on Friday night was identified as Jonte Hudson of St. Paul on Sunday, according to Fox 9 Minneapolis.

Police said an altercation took place at a Nordstrom store shortly before 8 p.m., when someone pulled out a gun and shot Hudson multiple times.

Jontae’s sister, Janiah Hudson, described 19-year-old Jontae on a GoFundMe at the funeral as “a loving and caring person to her family and friends.”

“He radiated positive, fun energy and his smile lit up the room,” she wrote.

On Friday, December 23, 2022, authorities locked down the West Wing of the Mall of America after shootings were reported in Bloomington, Minnesota.
(Alex Corman/Star Tribune via AP)

Two police officers exit the Nordstrom at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, Friday, December 23, 2022.
(via Kerem Yücel/Minnesota Public Radio AP)

A SWAT team from the Bloomington Police Department conducted a raid on a nearby St. Louis Park house at 8:40 a.m. and arrested five suspects, two 18-year-old men and three 17-year-old boys. .

Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges told a news conference: “We are confident that we have the people responsible for killing the victim.”

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All five suspects are being held on suspicion of second-degree murder.

Signs around the Mall of America indicate a lockdown is in progress after shootings were reported in Bloomington, Minnesota, on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
(Alex Corman/Star Tribune via AP)

A Bloomington police officer raises his hand at the entrance to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, Friday, December 23, 2022.
(via Kerem Yücel/Minnesota Public Radio AP)

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There were 16 police officers or security guards at the mall at the time of the shooting, including officers from a nearby store who tried to save Hudson’s life.

The shooting at the Mall of America is the second this year, following a shooting at a Nike store in August. No one was attacked in the shooting, but five people were arrested.

Fox News’ Adam Sabes contributed to this report.