A 16-year old girl was shot at the Danbury Mall yesterday as an altercation between two groups spilled out into the public. 

Danbury Police received reports of shots fire near Macy's shortly after 7pm.  Officers found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper chest area. She was alert and conscious. She was later transported to a Hartford Hospital in critical condition.

Chief Patrick Ridenhour says one person brandish a handgun and fired one round.  He notes that it appears the victim was not the intended target, but got in the way.  Ridenhour says a white male ran from the scene carrying a hammer, and he was believed to be the target. 

The mall was immediately placed on lockdown. 

Police reviewed video footage from the mall, though it's unknown at this time how many suspects are involved, they did see confirmation that the group left the mall.  Police have not been able to identify the suspects, so they are considered to still be at large.  Police then systematically cleared the building. 

Ridenhour says it was a trying day for mall patrons and employees. 

Danbury Police were assisted by State Police, Brookfield, Ridgefield and Wilton police departments and the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.  It is believed to be an isolated incident but still under investigation.