2 hurt in stabbing at Mall of America; suspect in custody

Hennepin County crime lab vehicles parked outside the MOA Macy's
Hennepin County crime lab vehicles were parked outside the Mall of America Macy's store after a reported stabbing.
Tim Nelson | MPR News

Updated: Nov. 13, 7:50 a.m. | Posted: Nov. 12, 8:19 p.m.

A man allegedly stabbed two Mall of America shoppers Sunday night as one of them tried to stop the suspect from stealing from him, police said.

Bloomington police chief Jeff Potts
Bloomington police chief Jeff Potts outside the Mall of America in Bloomington on Sunday.
Tim Nelson | MPR News

The incident happened in a fitting room of the Macy's store men's department.

Bloomington police say the suspect, a 20-year-old Minneapolis man, is in custody and two victims are in a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One victim confronted the suspect for allegedly trying to steal his personal property, said Bloomington police Chief Jeff Potts. The suspect pulled a knife.

Then, those shopping with the victim tried intervening. One of them was stabbed, but someone was apparently able to get the weapon out of the suspect's hands, Potts said.

Police responded at about 6:44 p.m. and were at the scene shortly after.

Potts said the suspect was taken to jail and didn't need to go to the hospital for medical attention. MPR News does not name suspects until they have been charged. It wasn't clear what injuries the suspect might have sustained, if any.

Police don't believe he knew the victims.

Maddie Schwieters told KARE-TV she was in line to see Santa when she ran toward the commotion nearby and saw two people on the floor. The 16-year-old called the incident "horrific."

Police say shoppers weren't in any danger. Macy's closed early but the rest of the mall stayed open.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.