Report Of Shots Fired At Hamilton Place Mall Sends Crowd Scrambling; No Victims Found

A report of shots fired at Hamilton Place Mall shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday sent customers at the mall racing out in a panic. Police later said no shooting victims had been found.

A call to 911 at 6:07 p.m. said there was an "active shooter." There was a call for EMS to the mall, then another call at 6:10 p.m. of an "active shooter."

Those in the vicinity of the mall said three young guys were seen running from the mall at Rodizo Grill, followed by a large crowd. A fight had reportedly taken place in the vicinity of the Foot Locker.

Police taped off an area just outside a mall entrance. Police were inspecting a black handgun found lying on the ground, witnesses said.

A Brainerd woman who was at the mall with her two daughters said, "People were saying there had been a shooting. There was absolute panic on their faces."

She said, "We almost got trampled as everyone was trying frantically to get away from the shots."

The woman said, "People were dropping things. One woman dropped her keys and went back to get them."

A host of police cars were dispatched to the mall.

"It looks like every police car in the city is here," the woman said.

She said some stores in the mall locked their doors, not letting anyone in or out.

Police blocked off roads in the vicinity of the mall.

The mall was closed as the police investigation continued.