False Report Of Shooting At Topanga Mall Prompts Massive Repsonse

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police responded in force to reports of a shooting at the Westfield Topanga mall Friday morning, but the report turned out to be a false alarm, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The incident was a minor smash-and-grab theft case with no known weapon involved, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Liliana Preciado.

The incident began just after 10 a.m. Friday.

"In the beginning when people called, they thought there was a shooting," said Preciado. "When we got there there was no shooting."

False reports of shootings at crowded locations aren't entirely uncommon, but authorities are still required to prepare for the worst-case scenario, including mass casualties, when such reports are made, said an LAPD spokeswoman. In this case, SWAT officers and dozens of paramedics and firefighters mobilized and descended on the mall near the Nieman Marcus entrance.

Two suspects have been taken into custody, according to the LAPD.

A bystander was hurt while trying to intervene to stop the theft, added Preciado. The bystander was hospitalized, and the suspects were taken into custody.

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