Police respond to Southcenter Mall, no reports of injuries

Police responded to the report of gunfire Monday afternoon at Westfield Southcenter Mall, but no victims were found and no injuries were reported related to the incident.

No arrests were immediately made.

People were evacuated Monday afternoon as police responded to the report of an illegal discharge. Police did not immediately say if there was damage from gunfire.

Investigators said they are looking at mall surveillance to determine if the bangs people were shots fired.

Shoppers also reported being locked down in stores, including the Nordstrom that is in the northwest corner of the mall. There was a large police presence at the JCPenney at the southeast section of the mall.

The mall reopened at about 5 p.m. but several stores decided to close for the evening after the incident.

Westfield, Southcenter's owner, has increased security since Nov. 2008, when a 17-year-old was shot and killed in the mall by a 22-year-old man.

In July 2017, the mall was locked down and evacuated when a shot was fired in the food court during a fight. No one was hurt.

And one year ago Sunday night, the sound of a metal pole falling -- sounded like a shot fired -- sent people running for the exits.

Every shopper KIRO 7 talked to said they were impressed by the quick work of staff to get people in a safe place.

Westfield Southcenter is at 2800 Southcenter Mall in King County. It's about 12 miles south of downtown Seattle.

Southcenter opened in 1968 and went through a major renovation beginning in spring 2006.

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