Armed citizen thwarts shooter who opened fire inside crowded mall food court: 'Quick action and heroism'

Police say an armed "good Samaritan" stepped in and stopped an active shooter who terrorized an Indiana mall south of Indianapolis on Sunday.

What happened?

Law enforcement said a man entered the Greenwood Park Mall early Sunday evening armed with a rifle and several magazines of ammunition. He then walked to the food court and opened fire.

The perpetrator shot five people, killing three and wounding two.

However, a quick-thinking 22-year-old man prevented even more loss of life when he pulled his own firearm and immediately shot down the perpetrator. Officials praised the man, who was identified only by his age and where he lived.

"The real hero of the day was the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm who was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began," Greenwood police Chief Jim Ison said.

"We do know that someone we are calling the 'Good Samaritan' was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed. This person saved lives tonight," said Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers. "On behalf of the city of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation."

Police have not yet determined a motive in the attack. However, they said there was no indication the shooter knew any of the victims, NBC News reported.

4 dead, 2 wounded in shooting at Greenwood Park Mall; police said 'good Samaritan' shot and killed swww.youtube.com

Anything else?

Gun control advocates used the tragedy to bash the Second Amendment.

"I don’t know who needs to hear this but when a 22-year-old illegally brings a loaded gun into a mall and kills a mass shooter armed with an AR-15 after he already killed three people and wounded others is not a ringing endorsement of our implementation of the Second Amendment," said Shannon Watts, founder of gun control group Moms Demand Action.

"The Second Amendment is why Greenwood Park Mall had a mass shooting in the first place," said actor John Fugelsang.

"[Three] innocent people dead + 2 innocent people injured + 1 'good guy with a gun' + A bunch of terrified people who just watched a mass murder - 1 bad guy with a gun. I dunno, I'm running these numbers and my Second Amendment at work is not looking so great, just math-wise," mocked progressive commentator Jill Filipovic.