James O'Neill, a spokesman for the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, says the man was confronted by mall security in the clothing store about 5 p.m. Thursday because they suspected him of shoplifting.
O'Neill says the man then pulled out a knife and held it to another shopper's throat. A uniformed police officer working at the mall was called and confronted the man. When the man refused several police orders to drop the knife, O'Neill says the officer shot him.
The hostage was not seriously injured.
Authorities have not released the names of the man, the officer, or the hostage.
