Reports of a shooting at the Midland Mall at 4511 N. Midkiff Road in Midland, Texas, on Friday raised concerns.
one person shared “Beware, there’s a shooter on the loose at Midland Mall,” on Facebook. Many people claiming to be eyewitnesses commented on the post. “We accomplished the task just as it happened!” one netizen wrote.
Midland Street News, a social media portal dedicated to community news in the Midlands, release “Apparently there was a shooting at Midland Park Mall and the mall has been put on lockdown!”.
“She said there was a group of about 20 to 30 boys and they all looked like gang members. Apparently there was a shooting in the parking lot. Someone was shot because there was blood and one of them was still in the mall. So that’s why they were cordoned off,” they added in their comments, citing a person inside the mall.
Several others raised the alarm about an active shooter. “Active shooter at Midland Park Mall,” one person release. other wrote “Apparently Midland Park Mall is on lockdown! Active shooter!”.
Midland Police have not yet commented on the matter. Details on possible suspects and victims are pending.
Midland Mall’s first visuals
One person shared video from inside the mall where there were reports of shots fired. “There may be a shooter at Midland Park Mall. Dillards should be on lockdown now,” the person wrote. In one of the images, a security officer appears to be visible in the direction the frame is coming from. Another image appeared to show a bar collapsing in front of a shop, suggesting the store had been cordoned off.
In 2014, Midland Park Mall banned people from bringing guns into the mall. Signs were reportedly posted to let customers know about the current policy.
Reports of today’s shooting sparked an uproar online.
Reaction to reports of shooting at Midland Mall
One person commented: “I read they’ve got the kids and everything is back to normal.” Many other comments blamed “the kids” and said they were “out of control.”
Someone commented: “This is so scary! I’m scared of public places now.” One netizen wrote, “The mall is not locked, it’s just Dillard’s store, and the security guard said it was some kids fighting until the police showed up. That’s what you tell the store vendors.”
Another netizen emphasized that this situation is common at Midland Mall, saying: “The mall breaks out into fights and people start claiming shootings, which is very common. I think this has happened three times while I have been in the mall.”
