People at a California mall were forced to shelter-in-place for hours on Monday evening as police responded to reports of a shooting.
San Jose Police Department gave the all clear at the Westfield Oakridge shopping mall, in the Blossom Valley neighborhood of San Jose, four hours after issuing the shelter-in-place order after a search ended up with officers not locating a shooter or victim.
“Units are currently at Oakridge Mall on reports of a person shot,” the police department said on Twitter. “Officers are working their [way] into the mall. Shelter in place if you can.”
Units are currently at Oakridge Mall on reports of a person shot. Officers are working their into the mall.
Shelter in place if you can. Updates here when available. pic.twitter.com/bw7MGsxkfs
— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) December 21, 2021
The department initially said one person had been shot, but later clarified that “initial updates of a victim in the mall that was shot have not been substantiated.”
Police gave the all clear on Twitter shortly before 10 p.m. but did not provide details about any suspects or shooting victims.
“All clear at Oakridge Mall. Officers will be at the scene for a few more hours gathering evidence and conducting the investigation,” the department tweeted. “Mall employees who need to return to secure their stores, mall management will be sending instructions.”
Police said officers found evidence of a shooting inside the mall in the vicinity of a Forever 21 store, according to ABC7. At a press conference, police said an armed suspect or victim could still be inside.
Street View
Witnesses told KTVU the they saw a group of four people, possibly teenagers, arguing near a Forever 21 store and that someone pulled a gun from a backpack and started shooting.
Sergeant Christian Camarillo said it appeared that an altercation occurred between several people and one of those suspects produced a gun and fired several rounds, the station reports.
Excellent work by @SJPD_PIO officers who rapidly responded to the shots fired at Oakridge Mall and took control of the scene. So far, no injuries nor fatalities have been verified, but a meticulous search and investigation will continue until every inch of ground is covered.
— Sam Liccardo (@sliccardo) December 21, 2021
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo thanked the police department for their efforts.
“Excellent work by @SJPD_PIO officers who rapidly responded to the shots fired at Oakridge Mall and took control of the scene,” Licarddo tweeted. “So far, no injuries nor fatalities have been verified, but a meticulous search and investigation will continue until every inch of ground is covered.”
This is a breaking news story and this article will be updated.