AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin law enforcement claimed a theft at a jewelry store inside of the Barton Creek Mall Saturday night led shoppers to oversight the audio of smashed jewellery scenarios for gunfire, prompting a chaotic scene and men and women running for security.
Police stated the robbery took place at the mall’s Helzberg Diamonds retail outlet, which might have involved 3 suspects smashing the glass and using many products. Officers have yet to make any arrests, though they are reviewing safety digicam footage to develop suspects and obtain far more details.
Police reported they got the initial simply call about the robbery at about 8:33 p.m. Saturday, but that response escalated when an individual else reported looking at a gun in the shopping mall. 1st responders surged methods to the building, main them to activate their “active attack” program. They also evacuated the mall as a precaution immediately after chaotic scenes of individuals running from the setting up simply because of the documented gunfire.
Nevertheless, police stated they located no victims following their research nor observed proof of a gun currently being seen or fired.
Austin police posted on social media that Barton Creek Mall has now been “cleared and is harmless.” Police also shared that everyone continue to inside the shopping mall can now come out and exit safely and securely.
Video shared with KXAN from the Twisted Cork Wine Bar confirmed the moments when dozens of men and women started running quickly as a result of the mall.
Outdoors the shopping mall, Marco Chavez explained to KXAN that he did not hear any gunshots, but saw people operating within. He explained what happened as “traumatizing” and “very scary.”
“I just ran within a retailer, and they enable us inside of,” Chavez stated. “We just stayed there, and we were in lockdown for a bit.”
One more witness, Luis Santana, explained he and his mom sat down to consume supper at the mall when they started out seeing individuals sprinting by way of the developing. He explained they commenced running, way too, right after hearing a female scream, “Run! There’s a shooter!”
Santana said they hid in the back again of a shopping mall retail store with workers who shepherded them to safety prior to law enforcement arrived to convey to them to leave the building.
“It’s terrifying. I never envisioned to be in this. I’m speechless,” Santana said.
Law enforcement are asking anyone who might have gotten movie of the Helzberg Diamonds retail store when the robbery took place to make sure you call the division.
Police also claimed the shopping mall is shut for the evening and will reopen Sunday.