SAPD, DPS, feds surround North Star Mall in massive manhunt

Heavy police presence at North Star Mall Tuesday February 14, 2017. Heavy police presence at North Star Mall Tuesday February 14, 2017. Photo: John Davenport Photo: John Davenport Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close SAPD, DPS, feds surround North Star Mall in massive manhunt 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — City and state law enforcement assisting in a federal manhunt surrounded North Star Mall Tuesday afternoon in the search for a suspect who allegedly fired at agents and officers at a separate location.

The law enforcement presence around North Star was cleared shortly after 4 p.m., but it is unclear if authorities moved the search to another location or if a suspect was apprehended.

The suspect is also wanted in the shooting of a mail carrier in Spring Branch this weekend, according to officials.

RELATED: North Star Mall employees, shoppers describe the scene during active manhunt

Video: SAPD, feds involved in massive manhunt near North Star Mall

Charles Gurinsky, the owner of Gurinsky's Jewelers inside North Star, said his shop wasn't placed under lockdown during the incident.

"Thank God," he said. "The worst thing you can do is tell us to close down on Valentine's Day."

An associate with JCPenny said certain entrances to the store were placed on lockdown because there was a possible active shooter situation at the mall.

Despite that possibility, mall-goers continued shopping and were free to roam about the premises at around 4 p.m.

RELATED: Mail carrier wounded in shooting north of San Antonio

An employee at a store inside the mall, who declined to be identified, told mySA.com at about 3:30 p.m. that many of the stores in the area around JCPenny had closed their doors in response to the active search, including the Apple store.

Calls and emails to North Star Mall managers and General Growth Properties Inc., the real estate investment trust that owns North Star Mall, were not immediately returned.

An assistant manager at the Spencer's in North Star, who declined to give her name, said mall security officers told them the mall's Northwest parking garage had been locked down but that stores could stay open.

Mount Sacred Heart School, located about 7 minutes south of the mall, was on lockdown and release was delayed, school officials said.

READ ALSO: S.A. law enforcement search for wrong-way driver who may have shot at trooper

Ridgeview Elementary School was placed on lockdown, but dismissal was completed, North East Independent School District Spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor told mySA.com.

Police initially responded to the Jim's Restaurant at 8427 Broadway at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, where authorities attempted to take a man into custody in the parking lot, an officer said at the scene.

Photo: Google San Antonio police made contact with the suspect at a Jim's...

The suspect opened fire and one bullet went through a glass pane of the restaurant, but no one was injured, officials said.

The suspect fled the scene and helicopters and other units began a search in the area.

U.S. Postal Inspector Service agents, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and SAPD officers were all involved in the manhunt.

Officials said they are searching for a suspect in the Saturday shooting of a postal carrier in Spring Branch, a community in Comal County about 30 miles north of San Antonio.

The carrier's vehicle was stolen but later recovered. The carrier was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her leg. Her name was not released.

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Staff writers Josh Fechter and Madalyn Mendoza contributed to this report.

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite