‘I wasn’t shocked’: Former Haywood Mall employee speaks out after shooting

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Mall safety is again being questioned after a shooting Saturday at Haywood Mall, and a former employee says the violence doesn’t surprise her.

The former worker, who asked not to be identified, said she worked at a store near the food court and often saw fights break out while she was employed there.

She pointed to a May 2025 fight inside the food court that sent shoppers running, even though no shots were fired, and chairs were thrown, sparking fears of a shooting.

About a month later, another fight moved into the parking lot, where a shot was fired.

In those situations, she said employees had little guidance.

“Nothing that you can do. And you’re not going to get any information,” she said. “So you just stand there and hope. You stay at your post and you hope that you’re going to be okay.”

The former employee said more security and better communication could have improved safety for workers and shoppers.

After Saturday’s shooting, Greenville police said steps are being taken.

In a statement, the Greenville Police Department said it is working with mall management as they “increase their security presence and hire additional off-duty police officers to enhance safety measures in and around the property.”

FOX Carolina has reached out to the owner of the mall, Simon Properties, what steps they may be taking to address public safety concerns. We are waiting to hear back.

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