With the world on edge in the wake of the news out of New Zealand, reports of a possible gunman at the Westfield Century City spread rapidly through L.A. this afternoon. However, it’s still unclear whether there was, in fact, a gunman on the loose.
Around 12:42 p.m., police were called to the shopping center, the Los Angeles Times reports. Social media photos and videos from the scene saw shoppers and mall employees exiting stores and restaurants as police swept the mall and surveilled the scene from helicopters above.
— #BREAKING: Reports of an active shooter situation at Westfield Century City mall in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.#LA #Developing pic.twitter.com/hxoCRhozPf
— BELAAZ (@THEBELAAZ) March 15, 2019
It appears that the suspected gunman was at the Amazon store, perhaps attempting a robbery. While the suspect himself was not caught by police, they are reported to be looking into a possible “suspicious package” found at the Amazon shop.
LAPD West LA Division is responding to calls of an “Active Shooter” at the Century City Mall. We have officers on scene who are clearing the location, but at this time we have NO evidence of a shooting or victims.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) March 15, 2019
The story continues to develop rapidly, and Santa Monica Boulevard near the mall remains shut down as the investigation continues.
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