US police said four people, including the shooter, were murdered in a mall in Indiana after a man with a rifle opened fire in a food court and an armed civilian returned fire.

According to Greenwood Police Department Chief Jim Ison, the individual entered the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday with a rifle and many magazines of ammo and began firing in the food court.

Ison stated during a press conference that an armed civilian murdered the man. He reported that four individuals were killed and two were injured.

Officers responded to the mall at 6 p.m. [local time] after receiving reports of a shooting. The authorities searched the shopping center for other victims but believed the gunfire was restricted to the food court.

Yet another massacre

Ison reported that police confiscated a suspicious backpack found in a restroom near the food court.

Multiple agencies, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, collaborate with the investigation.

Chris Bailey, assistant chief of police in Indianapolis, stated, "We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country,"

He stated that there is no active threat to the region and that authorities have at least one suspect.

Authorities stated that they would release additional information on Sunday evening.

Greenwood is a south Indianapolis suburb with a population of approximately 60,000. Mayor Mark Myers requested "prayers to the victims and our first responders."

"This tragedy hits at the core of our community," said Myers.