(Updated at 9:55 p.m.) Arlington County Police have responded en masse to an incident at the Ballston Quarter mall.
Arlington Alerts describes the incident as a “possible shooting.” Initial reports suggest a panic at the Regal Cinemas movie theater after a group of teens started shouting about an active shooter.
No evidence of a shooting has thus been found, though police are continuing to search the theater.
The panic prompted people to flee and hide, though many sheltered in place in the theaters. In the Quarter Market food hall, below the mall, police responded to a report of people who had locked themselves in freezers. Some neighboring businesses including the Shake Shack across the street locked their doors while customers sought shelter.
Video taken from across the street, shortly after the initial report of a shooter, shows people running from the mall as sirens blared.
As of 9:15 p.m., officers were also responding to the Uncle Julio’s restaurant in Ballston for an unconfirmed report of a man with a gun. Scanner traffic later suggested that it was actually an angry customer, not a man with a gun. Earlier, police also responded to the Clarendon Trader Joe’s for a report of a man with a gun and body armor, a report that has also not been substantiated.
Roads around the mall are blocked by police. Police have also cleared large pedestrians from outside the front of the mall, though many were still standing around along Wilson Blvd on either side of the mall as of 9:45 p.m.
The U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter is flying overhead to assist with the search for any possible suspects.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
UPDATE: The preliminary search of the theater has completed. All individuals sheltering in place have been evacuated. Police remain on scene investigating and a police helicopter is assisting. No evidence of a shooting has been located.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) September 15, 2019
Report of active shooter at #Ballston Quarter in #Arlington. Regal Cinema workers seen running away from theater. Police swarming scene. pic.twitter.com/v8mKWDw09E
— Jason Surbey (@JasonSurbey) September 15, 2019
Following #BreakingNews in Arlington. Police Responding to Possible Shooting at Ballston Common Mall https://t.co/6608thcfgx pic.twitter.com/FbKlRpwaBK
— Darcy Spencer (@darcyspencer) September 15, 2019
INCIDENT: Possible Shooting
LOCATION:4238 Wilson Bl – Ballston Common Mall
IMPACT: Police are on the scene of a possible shooting inside of the mall. Avoid the area.— Arlington Alert (@arlingtonalert) September 15, 2019
Thank you @ArlingtonVaPD for working hard tonight as you always do to ensure the safety of our community.
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) September 15, 2019
Video (top) courtesy Naki Mendoza. Screenshot via @JasonSurbey/Twitter.
