TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - The Tallahassee Police Department has confirmed there is no evidence that shots were fired at the Governor's Square Mall on Saturday.
Police swarmed the mall after 911 callers claimed they heard gunshots inside. But after further investigation, Police say that wasn't the case.
Officer David Northway of the Tallahassee Police Department says, "There was a fight between mall patrons, and at the same time, someone picked up a garbage can, threw it, and it bounced and echoed throughout the halls. People watching assumed, because they heard the fight plus the noise, that someone was shooting."
The mall voluntarily closed down as police investigated, leaving shoppers frightened and unsure what was going on.
Some at the mall took to social media, one post saying, "We're told to get down and hide in the bathroom or the kitchen..." Another said, "People ran past us... heard someone yell 'gun.' We ducked into the nearest store..."
"We determined that the person who threw the trash can was not intending to cause a ruckus. They did have some mental in-capacities, and they simply were not arrested due to those mental in-capacities," said Northway.
The mall reopened at its regular time Sunday. Police say they applaud mall goers for being smart and safe, even while being scared.
Northway adds, "We don't have a problem with people being scared. If you think there's something going on, get out of there as fast as you can. Let the authorities come in and take care of it."
The mall manager said they cannot comment on Saturday's incident until authorities wrap up their investigation. However, when WTXL went to the mall Monday afternoon, it appears to have returned to normal.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fight that started the commotion.
Lt. Grady Jordan says the department has been making contact with witnesses and they hope to make an arrest in the fight.
