16-year-old boy killed in hail of gunfire by 3 masked suspects outside Western Hills Mall

The teen killed in an ambush in the Western Hills Mall parking lot Friday afternoon was 16, authorities announced Saturday.

The victim’s name has not been released, but the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said he was shot by three masked suspects.

He is the third teen killed in Fairfield in three weeks. Though the first two teen deaths – which happened over Memorial Day weekend were linked – authorities said there is no indication Friday’s killing was connected in any way.

The gunfire erupted just before 3:30 p.m. Witnesses said the 16-year-old boy had just left the barbershop inside the mall and was walking through the parking lot when he was approached by the three masked suspects.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many shots were fired, but investigators put down more than 70 evidence markers. Witnesses reported hearing what they believed to be automatic gunfire.

Sheriff’s Lt. Joni Money said the young victim was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Following the shooting, Money said, the suspects left the area in a dark-colored sedan. No arrests have been made.

Dozens of onlookers gathered at the somber scene, including the victim’s parents and his grandmother.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450, option 2.