Police closed the mall early on Thursday as they continued their investigation.
CEDAR PARK, Texas — An investigation is underway following a shooting at Lakeline Mall.
According to the Austin Police Department, officers were called to the mall regarding a “shoot/stab hotshot” on Thursday afternoon.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the incident started as a dispute between two groups inside the mall’s food court when a shot was fired. Witnesses said the groups then ran from the mall, which led to a chaotic scene that prompted the mall to go into lockdown mode.
Rihanna Rand was at the mall with her best friend getting food, when she saw a fight taking place and then heard a loud bang.
“We heard it really close by and my ears just started ringing,” Rand said. “So I grabbed my friend and we started running and she told me to just run to her car really fast,” Rand said.
It is an experience shared by Derek Petty, who was shopping with a friend.
“We walk out and everyone’s like running and screaming,” Petty said. “So we started running and screaming. Next thing I know, everyone in the mall is just running towards the doors, running around, all kinds of panic.”
Davis said no one was hurt or shot in the incident and no arrests have been made. However, Davis said they do have a description of a possible suspect.
“You do an offense like that in Austin … there will be justice in this,” Davis said. “You do not fire a weapon inside a mall with innocent people about. They will be found.”
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area but confirmed it was an isolated incident. Police also said they would clear the mall and close it for the remainder of the day.
“I’m just really terrified from everything that happened,” Rand said.
Family members of people inside the mall can pick their relatives up at the Savers thrift store along Pecan Park Boulevard and Lakeline Mall Drive.
If you have pictures or videos of the incident, you can share them with Austin police through their evidence portal at this link.