Being at the mall the day after Christmas seems bad enough, but it gets worse, apparently. Several malls across the country are reporting lockdowns and shooting incidents, although they’re turning out to be false … so far.
Please note that not all reports are confirmed, but we’ve covered more than a couple of mall “shootings” before that have turned out to be nothing at all after a sweep by law enforcement — despite witnesses swearing they heard shots or saw guns drawn.
For example, here’s a report from New Jersey.
BREAKING: "Pandemonium" at Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall, pox say fight broke out, some1 yells "shots fired" then panic. @NBCNewYork
— Brian Thompson (@brian4NY) December 26, 2016
Police say no active shooter after cries of "shots fired" spark panic at NJ mall https://t.co/BGwUjvp9Nv pic.twitter.com/3QjuaKS07c
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) December 26, 2016
Video shows panicked shoppers fleeing NJ mall; police believe slamming chair caused scare https://t.co/4cFBEWgePn (Credit: Paolo Locsin) pic.twitter.com/3MTewrN1pe
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) December 26, 2016
(1/4) Earlier today at The Mills at Jersey Gardens, there was an incident, which is now confirmed as a fight that broke out.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 26, 2016
(2/4)Due to the loud slamming of a chair, someone shouted "gun." As a result, people began to panic. There was no shooting & no shots fired.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 26, 2016
(3/4) Two injuries reported of an 8 year old w/ cut finger and a 12 year old w/ leg injury. No others reported hurt at this time.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 26, 2016
(4/4) Traffic around the Mall remains very heavy and is now closed and will reopen tomorrow.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 26, 2016
(1/3) Update: The roads around the mall have reopened and although traffic is still heavy, it is moving.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 27, 2016
(2/3) A total of 8-10 people were injured today with non-life threatening injuries and were treated on scene.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 27, 2016
(3/3) They were transferred to local hospitals for further evaluation.
— Chris Bollwage (@MayorBollwage) December 27, 2016
And in Ohio:
Theres an emergency situation at Beachwood Mall. Cell video coming out of people screaming and running. @cleveland19news @BeachwoodPolice
— Dan DeRoos (@DanDeRoos19) December 26, 2016
Here’s a brief video from Beachwood Place just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and plenty of people are noting there seems to be a lot of laughter coming from people running for their lives.
They shooting in Beachwood Mall tho… ??? pic.twitter.com/MNBEes9GIp
— DOE BEEZY/FREEBANDZ (@DoeBoyOfficial) December 27, 2016
— Fund the wall (@PossumAndPintos) December 27, 2016
This is the man who shot the video, he says he did hear shots fired inside the mall. Some also say fireworks. You do hear a pop sound. https://t.co/uriaSrwFby
— Tia A. Ewing (@TIA_EWING) December 27, 2016
Large police presence at #Beachwood Place Mall. Still waiting for details from police. @cleveland19news pic.twitter.com/oKxBfOQMWL
— Sara Goldenberg (@SaraGoldenberg) December 27, 2016
Ambulance just showed up at #Beachwood Place. Large police presence, waiting on info from police. @cleveland19news pic.twitter.com/cNgcl8ylEz
— Sara Goldenberg (@SaraGoldenberg) December 27, 2016
Just spoke with women who work inside #Beachwood Place. They saw crowd running in panic, not sure what happened. pic.twitter.com/RqYOWkdnX7
— Sara Goldenberg (@SaraGoldenberg) December 27, 2016
I remember back in the day growing up in the big city, I couldn't go anywhere alone as a teen… the mall was off limits. I get it now Mom!
— Tia A. Ewing (@TIA_EWING) December 27, 2016
And here’s Long Island, New York:
https://twitter.com/Kay0fSunshine/status/813544455735300097
All clear given after FALSE reports of shooting at Roosevelt Field Mall. Some shoppers got locked in stores. Watch @News12LI for updates. pic.twitter.com/IyeKD7MQio
— Andrew Ehinger (@News12Andrew) December 27, 2016
2 injured at Roosevelt Field mall after fight causes panic, cops say https://t.co/i1DiLFDhBb pic.twitter.com/UI8M938WRh
— José Martínez (@JoseMartiNews) December 27, 2016
Make that seven injured, and more than 70 calls placed to police.
Roosevelt Field open after reports of shots fired, Nassau police received 70 calls, 35 officers responded, 7 people injured, no shots fired
— Jodi Goldberg (@JodiGFox5NY) December 27, 2016
UPDATE: At least seven people were hospitalized with minor injuries. https://t.co/BY15dE8czY
— News12LI (@News12LI) December 27, 2016
And here’s Manchester, Conn.
So many cops at buckland hills mall, kids are fighting outside and stealing items… also throwing Gatorade bottles to make gun sounds
— Justin Carmona (@YoungFuegoo) December 26, 2016
The Shoppes at Buckland Hills mall is closed. several hundred teenagers were in the mall and several fights broke out.
— Chris Davis (@CaptDavisc) December 26, 2016
Several reports from sources of large fight at Buckland Hills Mall possibly involving dozens of people. Large police response local & state
— Heidi Voight (@HeidiVoight) December 26, 2016
Video from inside the Buckland Hills Mall in #Manchester during large fight. pic.twitter.com/udLQWtZCQ7
— Kevin Galliford (@KallMeKG) December 26, 2016
A Manchester officer was assaulted while trying to break up the first fight, he did not require medical attention.
— Jenn Bernstein (@JennBNews) December 27, 2016
Town Center Aurora in Colorado was evacuated and closed down, police report.
#APDAlert: Large disturbance at @TCAurora.Mall is being closed and evacuated by APD. No one else is being will be permitted into the mall.
— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) December 27, 2016
UPDATE: Multiple skirmishes inside of the mall, no injuries to customers or officers. Officers working on clearing out p-lots at this time. https://t.co/X2129EV2nb
— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) December 27, 2016
Video from outside incident at Aurora Mall. @AuroraPD say multiple skirmishes, no injuries to customers or officers #9News https://t.co/gMVAGGynVJ
— Shaun Griswold (@shaun505) December 27, 2016
More video from the skirmish in Aurora @TCAurora #9news https://t.co/pd2oi3cnNr pic.twitter.com/xMW0aTANxh
— Shaun Griswold (@shaun505) December 27, 2016
And here’s the Monroeville Mall outside of Pittsburgh:
JUST IN: Police responded to an "incident involving several youths" at Monroeville Mall today, @KymGable reports: https://t.co/YJQEYvqJkO
— KDKA (@KDKA) December 27, 2016
Incident involving "multiple youth" said to be under control @ Monroeville Mall. Fight reported & PAT busses called to transport juveniles
— Kymgabletv (@Kymgable) December 27, 2016
And Arizona Mills in Tempe …
#Breaking: Several reports of a police situation at the Arizona Mills mall. Awaiting info from @TempePolice. Update soon on @abc15
— Tyson Milanovich (@TysonOnTV) December 27, 2016
NO shots fired at AZ Mills Mall, officers on scene investigating cause of disturbance
— Tempe Police (@TempePolice) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/BorderNarcotics/status/813549184913698820
Lockdown and reports of shooting at Arizona Mills appear to be part of a hoax at malls nationwide pic.twitter.com/nPYhwveKey
— Jared Dillingham (@JaredDillingham) December 27, 2016
Mall security in the food court at Arizona Mills questioning teens. Some saying they heard a gunshot. Police say NO shots fired. #12News pic.twitter.com/ibbj8qJcd9
— Ryan Cody (@RyanThomasCody) December 27, 2016
And here’s one more (for now) at Wolfchase Galleria in Memphis, Tenn.
"Disturbances" reported at Wolfchase Mall.
Working to learn more. One witness told me dozens were screaming & sprinting from food court. pic.twitter.com/GplTMRiBpf— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) December 27, 2016
UPDATE: MPD says no shots were fired, despite 911 calls claiming bullets flew. No injuries. "Unruly juveniles & adults" removed. pic.twitter.com/ZaGPKJw1hl
— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) December 27, 2016
With no evidence whatsoever to back this up, it’s hard to believe that all of this isn’t being coordinated through social media.
Just stop it, everybody.
* * *
Update:
And here’s another report from the Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. If you’re reading this and have family members who are out and about, it might be worth a phone call to let them know the mall — any mall — isn’t the best place to be right now.
Fort Worth PD heavy response to Hulen Mall on reports of a person with a weapon. The mall has been shut down for the evening.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) December 27, 2016
BREAKING: Hulen Mall on lockdown as police investigate incident. AVOID AREA #WFAA
— Lauren Zakalik (@wfaalauren) December 27, 2016
To be clear @fortworthpd say #HulenMall is on lock down after reports of a possible shooting. Officers going store to store. @CBSDFW
— Ken Molestina (@cbs11ken) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/madisongibbs97/status/813552543724929024
https://twitter.com/YouWantSomeMo28/status/813558431613407232
There were reports of fireworks — literally — at Hamilton Place in Chattanooga, Tenn.
also at Hamilton Place mall in Chattanooga TN. Teenagers threw lit firecrackers in the mall to cause disruption.
— Jonathan Judd (@JonJudd) December 27, 2016
Unbelievable.
UPDATE: 20 firecrackers were discharged in Pink causing confusion. 3 injuries are reported, 0 serious. Mall is returning to normal operation
— Hamilton Place (@HamiltonPlaceTN) December 26, 2016
thought there was a shooting while I was at Hamilton place and I've never been so scared in my life :((((
— mary grace (@marygracemitch) December 26, 2016
NEW: 3 injured in Hamilton Place disturbance. I'll be live with the latest details
— James Torrez (@JamesTorrezNews) December 26, 2016
Tonight @ 11: Scene is clear at Hamilton Place. @BrittanyNC9 spoke to a woman who says she was trampled while everyone ran out. pic.twitter.com/deanYXH8kX
— James Torrez (@JamesTorrezNews) December 26, 2016
So scared at Hamilton Place today. Was up front when the stampede began and we thought active shooter. Had 4 kids to look for.
— Kelley Falcon (@falcon_kelley) December 27, 2016
* * *
Update:
Our sympathies to anyone stuck at the Fox Valley Mall outside of Chicago, which is being added to the list.
Another mall fight tonight.
This one,in Aurora IL at Fox Valley Mall— Michael Murphy (@newstipslive) December 27, 2016
front row seats for what started the fox valley mall fights pic.twitter.com/Qa2wALQxlb
— Esther (@_esther74) December 27, 2016
Fox Valley Mall wildin pic.twitter.com/UU7p0Qq7Gs
— Velma (@BFitman) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/osnaDlehcaR/status/813556241574330368
Here's a snap a buddy of mine sent me from the brawl at the fox valley mall. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. pic.twitter.com/zF8cnRG9Rx
— abelay (@_abelay) December 27, 2016
And here’s Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, where once again, there were reports of shots fired that could not be confirmed by police investigators.
At Castleton Square for no more than 20 min and there were two fights and like 10 police cars in the parking lot ?
— kate (@cup_katee) December 27, 2016
IMPD officers at #Castleton Square Mall after reports of fights & possible shots fired from within the crowd. @WTHRcom
— Jennie Runevitch (@JennieWTHR) December 27, 2016
JUST IN: Police break up multiple fights, detain several juveniles at Castleton Square Mall : https://t.co/UT1vBMxTbp
— WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) December 27, 2016
Police Working to disperse crowds of young people at Castleton Square Mall after multiple fights break out:… https://t.co/LMMhoQZzU0
— Liz Adeola (@WatchLAeveryday) December 27, 2016
Let’s hope anyone who escaped from Wolfchase Galleria in Memphis didn’t head over to Oak Court as an alternative; the mall closed early in response.
What's happening at the oak court mall? Police are surrounding all entrances
— cole edgeworth (@cole_edgeworth) December 27, 2016
Police have evacuated Oak Court Mall after an altercation in the food court. More to come @memphisnews. pic.twitter.com/AvGREHKrm3
— Ron Maxey (@rmaxey1) December 27, 2016
Police were called to 2 Memphis malls tonight for disturbances. This is at Oak Court, which is now closing early. Appears no one was hurt pic.twitter.com/f3ZdqGZoZL
— Shay Arthur (@ShayA_WREG3) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/JeremypierreFOX/status/813563825949642752
* * *
Update:
Here’s one more for the record, from Farmington, Conn.
ALSO: Farmington Police say a fight with 20-30 teens broke out at Westfarms Mall around 8pm https://t.co/V9xM3TDD0s pic.twitter.com/9tbrNWr3iv
— FOX61 (@FOX61News) December 27, 2016
* * *
Update:
It looks like somebody got the memo … although Fort Worth wasn’t on “the list” for a mall fight Monday.
FWPD says they received memo warning them of staged mall fights today across county but FW was not on list. It was on radar. #WFAA https://t.co/n7PwUuLzLA
— Lauren Zakalik (@wfaalauren) December 27, 2016
Oops, never mind:
CLARIFICATION: FWPD PIO says the "memo" they received was just a heads up to the communications dept as they headed to Hulen Mall scene https://t.co/VZoCOeNZr0
— Lauren Zakalik (@wfaalauren) December 27, 2016
Join the conversation as a VIP Member