Florida mall reopens, incident was ‘not an active shooter,’ report says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida mall that closed early Wednesday after shots were fired has resumed normal operations, WFLA confirmed on Thursday.

According to NBC affiliate WPTV, the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens was placed on lockdown. A law enforcement official confirmed to the station that shots were fired around 2:30 p.m. One victim showed up at a hospital; however, their condition was unclear. No bystanders were injured.

Police believe the shooting may have been gang-related, according to WPTV.

“We can confirm that first responders are currently on scene and investigating this incident. The mall is on lockdown. No further information is available at this time,” a statement from the city said.

WPTV reported that a witness told a reporter on the scene that she heard “five to 10 shots fired.”

Multiple law enforcement personnel from various agencies were spotted at the scene.

According to WPTV, several people who were barricaded inside the mall have been able to leave the building with a police escort.

The city released a statement later that evening, saying that the incident was “not an active shooter” event, and it did not appear to be a random shooting. At this time, no arrests have been made.

“The Gardens Mall is now secure but will remain closed for business for the rest of the evening,” a statement from city and police said Wednesday. “We are in the process of escorting the last remaining employees and customers out of the mall. Gardens Police are following up on investigative leads into potential suspect(s). This investigation is ongoing.”

The Palm Beach State College Gardens campus was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon. However, the campus has since resumed normal activities.

“The emergency is now over and the lockdown has been lifted. Return to normal activities,” the college posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The School District of Palm Beach County announced that all schools — Palm Beach Gardens Community High School, Timber Trace Elementary School, Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8 School, and Watson B. Duncan Middle School — returned to normal operations shortly before 5:30 p.m.

The four schools were previously on limited movement due to the incident.