Fight At Christiana Mall Prompted Shots Fired Call: Police

NEWARK, DE — A call about shots fired at a Delaware mall resulted in a mass exodus and large police presence during prime holiday shopping hours over the weekend. Christiana Mall was evacuated Friday night after a large fight, police said.

Officers were dispatched to the mall, which is about 15 minutes from the Maryland state line, around 8:47 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21. Delaware State Police said that there was a report of shots fired at the shopping center.

Some troopers were already at the mall as part of a regularly scheduled security detail and began working with mall security to ensure safety protocols were followed.

As authorities responded to the situation, they received reports of suspects at different businesses and worked to clear the mall.

Based on the investigation, police said a large fight had broken out. During the fight, a glass container broke and a metal sign fell to the floor, according to Delaware State Police.

Hearing the jarring sounds, mall patrons and workers started exiting the building en masse.

"There has been no evidence recovered of any weapons being present or discharged," police reported after further investigation. "At this time, it appears that the fight within the mall is the cause of the mass exit of patrons and employees."

Multiple people reported minor injuries while leaving the mall in the crowd, police said.

The Christiana Mall has remained open according to its regularly scheduled holiday hours:

• Christmas Eve: 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.
• Christmas: Closed
• Wednesday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 27: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 28: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 29: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 30: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

The case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information may call Detective Ripple of Delaware State Police at 302-365-8438 or Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

INITIAL STORY: A report of shots fired is under investigation at the Christiana Mall in Delaware, according to police. Authorities said nobody was injured.

Police officers were dispatched to the mall, which is about 15 minutes from the Maryland state line, around 8:47 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21.

Delaware State Police said that there was a report of shots fired at the shopping center.

The building was evacuated, and authorities were working to clear the premises and ensure everyone was safe. Traffic was being diverted from the area, police reported, advising drivers to take alternate routes.

A reunification center has been established in the Costco parking lot at 900 Center Boulevard, police reported. As a result, the ramps have been reopened. However, the mall remains closed.

Police said that investigation was in the early stages.

Anyone with information may call Delaware State Police at 302-834-2620 or Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

Image via Google street view.