There was a reported shooting at a mall in Boca Raton, Florida, but as of Sunday night, cops said there’s no evidence of gunfire. There’s a report of one person being injured during the evacuation.
1. No ‘Active’ Situation
The situation developed Sunday at Town Center Mall in Boca Raton. Local cops asked that people in the mall shelter in place while police and SWAT search the grounds.
“There is no active shooter at this time at Town Center Mall,” authorities said in an update. Police said they had responded to reports of shots fired, and were still searching the mall.
2. One Victim
As of Sunday afternoon, there were local reports of one victim.
One gunshot victim from Boca Raton mall shooting. They’ve been taken to Delray Medical. @pbpost
— Hannah Morse (@mannahhorse) October 13, 2019
From a Christine Stapleton, a reporter with The Palm Beach Post:
My roommate was inside the Boca Mall when shooting occurred about 3 pm near Lululemon and Art of Shaving. Sounded like pops, not automatic gunfire. One person shot. Condition unknown. People inside have been taken to nearby restaurant to speak w/ police.
— Christine Stapleton (@StapletonPBPost) October 13, 2019
Police released an update Sunday afternoon saying that one person with a possible gunshot wound was taken the Delray Medical Center.
Evacuation procedures were ongoing as of about 6 p.m. ET. Officers later said that this person was not shot, but sustained an injury while evacuating. As of Sunday night, authorities said there was no evidence of gunfire, shells, or rounds.
Update: The victim transported to Delray Medical Center sustained a trauma injury from a door while evacuating. The victim did not sustain a gunshot wound. At this point, we are investigating a suspicious incident as the source of loud bangs remains unknown. @BocaPolice
— Boca Raton Police (@BocaPolice) October 14, 2019
.@BocaPolice chief’s latest update on Town Center “suspicious incident”:
-Victim w/ “traumatic injury” hit his head on a door, was not shot
-No evidence of gunfire/shells/rounds
-Still determine the source of panic-inducing noise
-Reunification: 2301 Glades Road— Hannah Morse (@mannahhorse) October 13, 2019
3. People Taking Shelter in the Mall
As seen on video, some people at the mall remained in the stores as officers searched the grounds on Sunday afternoon.
MORE: @BocaPolice are searching through the mall after reports of an active shooter. Many employees locked in place. We’re expecting an update from police shortly @WPLGLocal10
VIDEO: from @RpSoles pic.twitter.com/HMTZOVUhXr— Andrew Perez (@AndrewPerezWPLG) October 13, 2019
Others can be seen leaving as cops arrive at the scene.
BREAKING: large police presence at Boca Raton mall. Employees reporting they are locked in place, texting loved ones about *possible* shooter. We’re working to gather more information RIGHT NOW. Standby. @WPLGLocal10
VIDEO courtesy: @umdontbejelly #boca #bocaraton pic.twitter.com/aR5A2czFiM— Andrew Perez (@AndrewPerezWPLG) October 13, 2019
Note: Updated to reflect that according to police, there was no evidence of gunfire. A person sustained an injury during the evacuation, they said.
[Screengrab via Andrew Perez]
