Shots Fired During Robbery at Ford City Mall in Chicago

Shots were fired at a Chicago mall Friday during a robbery at a jewelry store.

Police said multiple offenders entered Ford City Mall around 11 a.m. and robbed a jewelry store at 7600 South Cicero.

Two people in the store asked to see an item, which they kept before displaying two handguns, according to Commander Al Nagode with the Chicago Police Department. One of the offenders fired shots into the air and another turned and opened fire on the door, Nagode said. 

"As the employees and security began to follow [the offenders[ we know that one of the individuals discharged his weapon at least five times straight up into the air in the ceiling," he said. "We believe it was for the purpose of stopping anybody from pursuing them at this time."

In total, eight shots were fired, but no injuries were reported, police said. The thieves fled the scene in a small silver SUV, but further descriptions weren't given.

"It wasn't coming in with guns drawn as a robbery," Nagode said. "This was an exchange. They looked specifically at specific items and took those items and made good their escape."

It was not clear if the offenders entered the store from inside the mall, according to authorities. Details on items stolen weren’t immediately known.

The mall remained open for business Friday, according to Ford City Mall General Manager Tracy Munno. 

"Obviously incidents like these can happen anywhere," Munno said. "It's always the safety of our customers and our tenants are first and foremost."

Check back for details on this developing story.