The Cleveland Police Department secured the Bradley Square Mall area and cleared the perimeter after a shots fired call at about the same time as two separate shootings in Chattanooga.
The Cleveland Police SWAT Team, along with members of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the mall area and together, conducted a preliminary search of the area and secured all businesses inside. Officers conducted a sweep of the parking lot and surrounding businesses.
Law enforcement personnel met with Bradley Square Mall personnel and security and they agreed to close the mall. Military members working out of recruiting office were escorted to their vehicles and off the mall campus.
Once the mall was closed, the Cleveland Police Department and the Highway Patrol SWAT Team made entry, with mall security and maintenance, to check all areas of the mall. Officers were able to clear the building shortly before 2 p.m.
The Bradley Square Mall campus was secured and officers were retained to patrol the area for the remainder of the night as a precaution. At this time, the event is still under investigation.
Officials said, "We have no indication that shots were fired at the mall. We have no injuries to any personnel, patrons or law enforcement."
The Bradley Square Mall reopened at 5 p.m. for regular business.
Evie West of the Cleveland Police said, "We would like to thank mall management and security. We appreciate the mutual aid effort between Cleveland Police Department, Bradley Co. Sheriff's Office, Drug Task Force, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Cleveland Fire Department and Bradley County EMS. Thanks to Brenda Lawson and Cleveland 100 for supplying the officers with water and Powerade during the event. Please keep the Chattanooga Police Department and the Chattanooga victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers."