A fight involving a Taser prompted patrons at the Ontario Mills Mall to panic in fear of an active shooter situation Saturday evening, police said.
“Ontario Mills Mall is safe,” said the Ontario Police Department Twitter account at 9 p.m.
A police spokesperson initially confirmed just after 8 p.m. that a shooting occurred had at the mall, but the spokesperson could not confirm an active shooter.
By 9 p.m., the department stated on Twitter “no active shooting occurred” and proclaimed the mall safe.
Within an hour, police described the incident as a “fight involving a ‘personal’ taser,” and said the fight resulted in people thinking there was an active shooter.
Authorities asked everyone at the mall to leave and for others to avoid the area. The department said officers would continue to patrol the mall due to the ongoing investigation.
UPDATE: OPD confirms a fight involving a personal taser is what caused people to fear there was an active shooter. Police confirm no active shooter. The investigation remains on going about the fight and persons involved.
— Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) July 8, 2018
Units remain on scene at Ontario Mills Mall. No shooting occurred at the location. Due to continuing investigations we ask all to leave and remain clear of the area.
— Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) July 8, 2018
Update: OPD confirms no active shooting occurred at Ontario Mills Mall. There was a fight that had broken out and caused patrons to panic. Ontario Mills Mall is safe.
— Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) July 8, 2018
OPD is on scene at Ontario Mills. No confirmation on an active shooter. Please stay clear of area.
— Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) July 8, 2018
Live shooting at Ontario Mills!! Submit #ABC7Eyewitness Tips https://t.co/L3XQBmSu3g via @abc7 pic.twitter.com/NnukRas9s8
— Danny 👍 (@Danny_Del90) July 8, 2018
KTLA’s Meghan McMonigle contributed to this story.