KEY POINTS

  • Panic ensued at a Motebello mall after shoppers believed that there was an active shooter inside
  • Police confirmed that there was no active shooter, but hammer-wielding suspects
  • Aroung 4-5 black males walked up to a jewelry kiosk and smashed the jewelry casing and took jewelry

The sound of breaking glass caused panic among shoppers after thinking that there might be an active shooter inside the mall.

The Shops customers took to social media and shared what the believed to be an active shooter situation, said FOX 11. The fracas also instigated a “massive police response” before authorities confirmed that there was no shooter.

In a news release by the Montebello Police Department (MPD), the incident happened around 5:18 p.m. Monday and it involved hammer-wielding degenerates.

“Upon officers' arrival, they discovered that approximately 4-5 male subjects armed with a hammer walked up to a jewelry kiosk and smashed the jewelry casing and took jewelry,” stated the release.

It added that the suspects were described as black males and wore dark clothing. They fled before police arrived.

The MPD, alongside the LA County Sheriff's Department (LASD) confirmed through a Twitter post that there was no active shooter inside the mall.

The mall was closed for the remainder of the night, while a “reunification point” was established at the Kaiser Hospital parking lot for those who have been separated from their group amidst the panic.

No arrests were made and investigation is still ongoing, said FOX 11.

The outlet also pointed that the incident appeared to be a “smash and grab” robbery, a form of burglary where suspects smash barriers and display windows before grabbing its valuables and making a quick getaway.

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