šŸ’” “ā€˜I’M GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE’ — LOUISIANA MALL SHOOTING BYSTANDER RECALLS SEEING ā€˜BODIES ON THE GROUND’” A bystander who survived the Louisiana mall shooting is speaking out after witnessing scenes they say will never leave them. Describing the terrifying chaos, the survivor said they were simply grateful to still be alive after seeing bodies on the ground as panic spread through the area. What began as an ordinary day at the mall turned into a nightmare in seconds, with shoppers running for safety and families desperately searching for loved ones. Survivors say the fear, confusion, and heartbreak inside the building were unlike anything they had ever experienced. As the community mourns and investigators continue piecing together what happened, many say firsthand accounts like this reveal the true human cost behind the headlines.

One person was killed and five others were wounded in the shooting in Baton Rouge, La.

Shopper recalls chaos during mall shooting
Ryan Johnson.Credit :Ā WWLTV/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

  • One person was killed and at least another five were injured in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La.
  • Witness Ryan Johnson told WWL he saw “bodies on the ground” following the shooting
  • A 17-year-old high school senior was killed in the shooting

A man who witnessed theĀ mass shooting at the Mall of LouisianaĀ in Baton Rouge, La., said he saw “bodies on the ground.”

A teen was killed and at least five other people were wounded during the shooting on Thursday, April 23, according to reports fromĀ WDSU,Ā WBRZĀ andĀ WWL.

Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups of people in the mall’s food court, per WBRZ.

Ryan Johnson was in the mall’s food court with a friend when the shots rang out, he told WWL.

ā€œI’m grateful to be alive,” he told the outlet. “God’s got me.ā€

Johnson said he and a small group of others ran into a store for cover after hearing the shots.

“I was kind of in shock,” he said.

Johnson said the store’s gate was lowered and that he remained there for about 10 minutes.

ā€œIt was mass hysteria, officers running around with assault rifles,” he told the outlet. “There were bodies on the ground. It was just bad.ā€

WAFBĀ reported that the victim killed in the shooting has been identified as Martha Odom, a 17-year-old senior at Ascension Episcopal School.

Two other seniors are being treated after being shot, per the outlet.

Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the shooting, but the outlets reported that police said five individuals were taken into custody in the aftermath.

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