UPDATE: Injuries Reported, Suspect in Custody After Shooting Outside Meridian Mall in Okemos
Okemos, MI – May 30, 2025-A quiet Friday afternoon in Okemos was shattered by gunfire outside the Meridian Mall, where multiple shots were fired in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods, prompting a swift law enforcement response and temporarily placing the popular shopping center on lockdown.
The Meridian Township Police Department has confirmed that the incident occurred around 1:25 p.m. and involved at least one suspect who is now in custody. Authorities have confirmed that two people were injured in the shooting and were transported to a nearby hospital. The exact nature and extent of their injuries have not yet been released.
In an on-site interview with senior reporter Danny Valle, Meridian Township Police Chief Rick Grillo confirmed that emergency services responded within minutes of the first 911 calls. Upon arrival, officers found a chaotic scene in the parking area outside the mall’s Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance. Shell casings were located, and evidence markers could be seen lining the pavement as officers began their investigation.
“At 1:25 p.m., multiple gunshots were fired in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods,” Chief Grillo stated. “Two people have been injured, and they are being treated at an area hospital. We are still working to determine the full extent of those injuries.”
Shortly before 2:00 p.m., Meridian Township Police issued a public safety alert via social media, warning the community to avoid the area while the scene was secured and law enforcement ensured there was no active threat.
The Meridian Mall itself was placed on a temporary lockdown, with store employees sheltering customers inside until police lifted the restriction once it was clear that the shooting had occurred entirely outside the shopping center. No reports of violence within the mall were made.
Suspect in Custody
Police have taken one unidentified suspect into custody. Details regarding the suspect’s identity, possible motives, or connections to the victims have not been publicly disclosed. Chief Grillo noted that investigators are still determining how many people may have been directly involved and whether the shooting was targeted or random.
At this point, authorities believe the situation is contained and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, the investigation remains active, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming hours.
Investigation and Community Impact
Officers from Meridian Township Police, along with support from Ingham County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police, secured the scene and began collecting witness statements, reviewing surveillance footage, and processing forensic evidence.
A portion of the mall parking lot remained cordoned off well into the afternoon as detectives continued their work. Evidence tents and police vehicles surrounded the perimeter near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance, and a steady presence of emergency responders was seen coordinating the investigation.
For many in the Okemos and East Lansing communities, the incident has sparked anxiety and concern, especially coming at a time when public spaces are increasingly being scrutinized for safety.
“This is shocking,” said one local shopper who was in the mall at the time. “We come here all the time. It’s where our kids hang out. You just don’t expect this to happen in broad daylight.”
Public Urged to Share Information
Meridian Township Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has video or photographic evidence, to come forward. Even those who may have seen suspicious behavior prior to the gunfire are asked to contact investigators to help piece together what led to the shooting.
“If you were in or near the parking lot around 1:25 p.m. and saw anything unusual, we need to hear from you,” said Chief Grillo. “Every detail helps.”
How to Help
Those with information are encouraged to call the Meridian Township Police Department at (517) 853-4800 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits answers — not just about what happened, but how such violence found its way into one of Mid-Michigan’s busiest shopping hubs.