Reports of gunshots in busy mall: chaos, people running

Police said they have not found anyone with gunshot wounds, but there are reports of trampling injuries due to crowds fleeing.

The police department issued a statement saying that officers responded to the Crabtree Valley Mall about 2:30 Saturday afternoon to a report of shots fired.

Officials at Crabtree Valley Mall provided no reason for the lockdown of the facility, but Raleigh police have confirmed an active shooter situation and are working to secure the facility according to local WRAL news.

Police say eight people sustained various injuries as people were rushing out of the mall.

No one has been arrested and no one has suffered any gunshot wounds, police said.

Antonio Richardson, owner of the Casanova clothing store in the mall, said he saw the incident unfold after two men argued in the food court.

Witnesses say they hid in stores until police led them out. Rice reported that Raleigh police officers were evacuating stores in the food court area. Video posted on social media sites shows dozens of people running toward mall exit doors as numerous screams were heard. Saw a lot of people running and pushing to get out. He said he heard about five or six shots as he was walking out of a cell phone accessory store.

The dispatcher said “shots were fired” but added that it was unclear what motivated the shooting or whether it was more than one shooter.

In the late afternoon heat, scores of people gathered outside the mall, appearing to wait for news of what happened or to find loved ones who had sheltered inside.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.