Westfield-Meriden Mall Lockdown Lifted After Unfounded Report of Gunman

Meriden, CT - The Westfield-Meriden Mall was placed on lockdown Thursday night as local and state police investigated a report of a gunman in the facility. Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati confirmed at 10:15 p.m. that the mall has been cleared, and no shots were fired.

Whether any shots were fired hadn't been entirely pinned down earlier in the night, but Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Kelly Grant said in a statement that it appears shots were not fired.

"This is Meriden PD's investigation," wrote Grant in an email to the Patch and the press. [Connecticut State Police] is assisting. As of right now [reports of] 'shots fired/active shooter' is unfounded."

The Meriden Record-Journal reports that the incident began at about 8:30 p.m., but no evidence was found of shots being fired, as of 9:30 p.m.

Meriden, Conn., official says no confirmed shooting or gunman at Westfield mall; no reported injuries - @tarajoycenbc
— The Goodman Report (@TheaGood) June 17, 2016

Fox61 News reports that more than a dozen law enforcement vehicles were at the scene, and store employees were told to stay in their shops. People were seen running from the mall, but no injuries were reported.

Was just at Meriden mall when we heard someone scream "he has a gun" and everyone started running. I have never been so scared in my life...
— Lena Losacano (@LenaLosacano) June 17, 2016