Virginia

Tysons Corner Center reopens after fallen light fixture was mistaken for gunshots

Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia, reopened Sunday afternoon after police had earlier evacuated the mall on reports of shots fired. The confusion was caused by a shattered light fixture.

According to a Fairfax County Police, officers found no evidence of a shooting during their investigation and concluded that a fallen light fixture had caused a loud noise that people in the mall believed to be gunshots.

According to police, the loud sound occurred around 2:45 p.m. Sunday. A few minutes later officers had cleared the mall after receiving multiple calls reporting possible gunshots within the building.

After investigating the scene, officers concluded that a fallen light fixture had caused the sound that alarmed mallgoers.

A handful of videos appeared on Twitter showing an initial panic as people tried to flee the mall.

Several callers said they were inside the mall and were evacuated during an initial panic.

Maurisa Potts, a spokesperson for Tysons Corner Center, said on Twitter that the light fixture had shattered around a Nordstrom wing corridor.

The mall has been reopened and police are allowing people to return.

Gayle Gordon

As a college student, making an extra buck now and then was very important. I started as a part-time reporter since I was 19 yo, and I couldn’t believe it might become a long-time career. I'm happy to be part of the Virginian Tribune's team.

Related Articles

Back to top button