Arizona mall evacuated after reports of armed man; no suspect found

TEMPE, Ariz. (AZFamily/Grey News) – Police have not located a suspect who reportedly pointed a gun at an additional male and then ran into the Arizona Mills mall on Friday night.

Officers say all over 6:30 p.m., a guy obtained into a struggle with several individuals around Starbucks and then pulled out a gun. Just after pointing it at one more gentleman, the suspect then reportedly took off within the shopping mall.

Officers and shopping mall protection immediately cleared the mall but did not obtain the armed male or other folks concerned. Tempe police say no injuries have been documented. The mall was reopened following stability did a closing walkthrough.

Police have not confirmed if any photographs had been fired within or outdoors the mall.

“The shots that they [witnesses] may have listened to ended up the significant security gates that a ton of the malls will open up up and close with,” Tempe Police Sgt. Hector Encinas explained.

Various witnesses nonetheless described listening to shots. A girl claims her relatives was in the foods courtroom feeding on when they reportedly heard photographs.

“We’re sitting in the booth and we hear boom, growth, growth! And we see folks just running in droves out the door. They mentioned ‘somebody’s been shot, run, get out,’” she said.

Store operator Hassan Odeh also witnessed hoards of people managing absent.

“50 to 100 folks just running from this way throughout our retail outlet to the proper. And then some people today arrived into the retail outlet and then I instructed some of my staff to lock the door,” Odeh reported.

Encinas also verified persons attempted to just take shelter inside the mall.

Video clip from Arizona’s Spouse and children news chopper confirmed extra than 10 police autos surrounding the Entry 3 entrance of the shopping mall. Shoppers have been also gathered outside all over parts of the mall, although some opted to leave.

Officers are now operating with store proprietors to get surveillance video clip that might lead to finding the suspect. Tempe Police are asking any individual with details simply call (480)-350-8311.

Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. by means of KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.