Shoppers describe mayhem as police confirm no shots fired during fast-moving disturbance
The disturbance at Wilmington’s Independence Mall began around 3:45 p.m. this afternoon (December 23), when multiple 911 callers reported seeing an individual with a gun inside the mall. One caller claimed shots had been fired near Dillard’s, a detail that immediately altered the urgency of the police response. Additionally, it sent a wave of fear through holiday crowds already filling the mall two days before Christmas.
Within seconds, the energy inside Independence Mall shifted from routine holiday shopping to panic. Witnesses described people running in multiple directions, some abandoning shopping carts, others grabbing children and sprinting for exits, and groups ducking into restrooms or storage areas to hide until they understood what was happening. Videos from outside captured gridlocked traffic as cars attempted to flee simultaneously, while those still inside searched for shelter.
Shoppers reported hearing people shout warnings about a shooter, even before police had confirmed any gunfire. Early confusion fueled the fear, as individuals emerging from the mall into the parking lot described screams, stampedes, and frantic calls to relatives. The speed at which the panic spread reflected how quickly misinformation can travel during moments of high stress, especially in crowded public spaces…