Mall visitors left shaken after loud noise sparks panic, police say incident was staged
CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. — A moment of panic erupted at Chicago Ridge Mall Sunday evening as reports of a shooting led to chaos, only for authorities to later confirm the incident was nothing more than a prank.
The Chicago Ridge Police Department received multiple reports of shots fired at approximately 7:20 p.m. Officers responded quickly to the scene but found no evidence of gunfire or any injuries.
Witnesses described hearing a single loud bang, followed by a wave of frightened shoppers running for the exits. After an initial investigation, police concluded the scare was the result of a staged prank carried out by a group of individuals inside the mall.
“There was no indication of any gunfire,” investigators stated, reassuring the public that there was no ongoing threat.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify those responsible for the incident. Meanwhile, shoppers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.