Shutterstock
A security guard at the Glendale Galleria in California fired a gun Saturday afternoon trying to stop an attempted robbery of a jewelry store, instigating a lockdown of the mall. During the time of the lockdown, however, people in the area feared an active shooter was at the mall.
What happened?
Police have arrested multiple suspects, who entered the store with tools to break glass, although it is unclear at this time if they were armed.
A mall guard nearby fired one round, although nobody was reported to be injured.
Some mall visitors incorrectly thought there was an active shooter in the area due to the number of gunshots. Many eyewitnesses have since given their account of what had happened. According to Daily News, Ricardo Tabucal claimed to have heard five gunshots:
“People were crying and running. I saw people running with their children and falling on the floor. I tried to hide and then headed to the emergency exit. I was not scared because I experienced something similar when I lived in the Philippines.”
Jerick Joaquin, another mall employee, added the following:
“That was the scariest thing I’ve experienced in my life because I knew there was someone with a gun. We wanted to make sure our coworkers were safe and then we left the mall.”
It is believed that there were no injuries connected to the shooting or the mall scare.
What are officials saying about the situation?
The City of Glendale, California issued the following statements on the area’s official Twitter account:
“A report of a robbery at the Glendale Galleria. Report of a shot fired. No one hurt. Glendale Police have the situation under control no threat to the public. Additional information will be forthcoming”
“GPD reporting all is good at the Glendale Malls. Heavy police activity investigating an attempt robbery. Please avoid area until complete.”
As this story is developing, more information will be updated as made available.
