GREENWOOD, IN — On July 17, 2022, a violent attack unfolded in the food court of Greenwood Park Mall. The individual responsible was armed with two AR-style rifles, a handgun, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. But within just 15 seconds, a legally armed citizen drew his concealed handgun and stopped the assault from approximately 40 yards away, preventing further loss of life.
Three years later, the actions of 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken continue to stand as a defining example of courage and decisive response in a moment of crisis.
The Attack
Shortly before 6 PM, the attacker emerged from a mall restroom after spending more than an hour inside—believed to be preparing his weapons. He carried a SIG Sauer M400, a Smith & Wesson M&P15, a Glock 33 handgun, and multiple loaded magazines. Within 15 seconds of exiting the restroom, he fired 24 rounds into the food court area.
Three victims lost their lives: Victor Gomez, 30, and married couple Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37. Two others were injured, including a woman shot in the leg and a 12-year-old girl who was struck by shrapnel.
The Armed Citizen Response
Elisjsha Dicken, who was shopping at the mall with his girlfriend, responded immediately. From an estimated 40 to 50 yards away, he drew his concealed 9mm Glock handgun and engaged the attacker. He fired ten rounds, striking the assailant with eight of them—effectively ending the threat just 15 seconds after the shooting began.
Greenwood Police Chief James Ison stated:
“He was very tactically sound as he moved to close in on the suspect. He was also motioning for people to exit behind him. He has no police training and no military background.”
Law Enforcement and Investigation
Emergency response was swift, with multiple agencies including Greenwood Police, the FBI, ATF, DHS, and a bomb squad arriving on the scene. A suspicious backpack left in the restroom was investigated and found to be non-threatening.
Investigators later discovered that the attacker had burned a laptop and attempted to destroy his phone before the shooting. Though his online activity showed troubling interests in mass violence and extremist ideology, authorities were unable to determine a clear motive.
Community Recognition and Legal Response
In the weeks following the incident, Elisjsha Dicken was named Greenwood’s 2022 Citizen of the Year for his swift, selfless actions. City officials and law enforcement alike credited him with saving numerous lives that day.
In a separate development, families of the victims filed lawsuits against Simon Property Group and Allied Universal, citing alleged lapses in mall security. Claims included insufficient surveillance in restrooms and inadequate presence in the food court area—factors they argue allowed the attacker to prepare unnoticed.
Reflection Three Years Later
The Greenwood Park Mall shooting remains one of the most significant recent examples of an armed citizen stopping an active threat. Without any formal training, Elisjsha Dicken acted with focus, precision, and responsibility under extreme pressure.
His actions serve as a reminder to the concealed carry community of several core principles:
- Preparedness matters—especially for unpredictable environments like public venues.
- Training at distance is valuable, even if not always emphasized.
Following the incident, a shooting drill known as the “Dicken Drill” began circulating in the firearms training community. The drill typically challenges shooters to hit a torso-sized target with 10 rounds at 40 yards within a 15-second time limit—simulating the conditions under which Dicken engaged the attacker. While it may not fully replicate the scenario—reports suggest Dicken moved and took cover during the engagement—it reinforces the importance of distance shooting and stress-based training.
- Constitutional carry laws, like Indiana’s (effective just 17 days prior), remove barriers that can otherwise delay life-saving action.
Three years later, the event continues to be a case study in responsible carry and the difference one individual can make when seconds count.
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