The South Portland Police Department says they did not find the suspect after a methodical search of the Maine Mall area after a person was shot this afternoon inside the mall.Police say they believe they have identified a suspect following an initial investigation.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — The South Portland Police Department is investigating an "active situation" at the Maine Mall Wednesday afternoon. According to a post on social media from the department, the mall is currently closed. The department is asking people to avoid the area.

The search for a suspect in a shooting at the Maine Mall is ongoing on Thursday, but police say the victim is expected to survive. In an update Wednesday night on Facebook, South Portland Police Chief Dan Ahern said a search of the mall for the shooting suspect proved negative.