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A man was shot and wounded Monday afternoon in the parking lot at Northlake Mall, according to police and mall officials.
The shooting happened at about 4:30 p.m., according to mall spokeswoman Nan Gray.
The 23-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital with what authorities said were non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot with a handgun outside of the Dick's Sporting Goods and Dillard's stores. His name was not released.
Police say the shooting is not believed to be random, and that three shots were fired. A second man who was with the victim took a bullet through his pants leg, but was not injured.
Part of the parking lot was closed while police investigate, but the rest of the mall remained open, Gray said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Lt. Brian Foley said officers were searching for a "black male with dreadlock-style hair braided down the center." He was driving a white Ford Excursion or Expedition with tan or gold lower trim, and was seen heading westbound on I-485, toward Pineville.
Foley said investigators don't believe the incident started inside or stemmed from anything that happened at the mall.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Observer news partner WCNC-TV contributed.
