The Great Mall was evacuated Saturday evening after a shooting, which prompted police to search the center store by store for the perpetrator.
A woman shopping at Levi’s was in tears as she was let out of the mall & immediately ran to hug her husband, who has been waiting for her. She said the employees told her to hide with them in the back of the store. @KPIXtv #milpitas #greatmallshooting pic.twitter.com/ffKIFvWOvS
— Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) December 20, 2020
One man is reportedly injured.
MPD is currently investigating a shooting at the Great Mall. Out of an abundance of caution we have asked all stores to shelter-in-place while officers continue assessing the situation. Please stay away from the area and we’ll provide additional updates shortly.
— Milpitas Police (@MilpitasPD) December 20, 2020
Milpitas police shared few details about the incident, saying on Twitter that they ordered a shelter-in-place before bringing people outside “out of an abundance of caution.”
7:30 P.M. – Search teams are systematically searching all stores that were sheltering-in-place, and will be escorting employees and customers out into the parking lot. Officers and Detectives remain on scene and are actively investigating this incident.
— Milpitas Police (@MilpitasPD) December 20, 2020
“Please stay away from the area,” the department wrote at 6:20pm on Twitter, “and we’ll provide additional updates shortly.”
Active Shooter incident at Great Mall. In Milpitas Information intentionally delayed. Santa Clara County law agencies responded to reports of a shooter inside Old Navy. One person was reported to be shot in the leg. No other information is available. pic.twitter.com/ye94qjagzR
— Silicon Valley Scanners (@SVscanners) December 20, 2020
An hour later, Milpitas officials said they were systematically scouring the mall and escorting shoppers outside and into the parking lot.
Happen at #Greatmall when we take shelter at a store..#blessthem pic.twitter.com/nsIdEedAXr
— Skylar (@Skylar05690594) December 20, 2020
By 8:10pm, police said the search was still in effect.
8:10 P.M. - Teams continue to contact stores with people and employees sheltering in place. Those inside are being escorted out.
— Milpitas Police (@MilpitasPD) December 20, 2020
A number of other Bay Area law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, reportedly responded to the scene as well.
Sheriff’s Deputies are on scene assisting @MilpitasPD at the Great Mall. Please avoid the area. https://t.co/AuQRkENZOW
— SantaClaraCoSheriff (@SCCoSheriff) December 20, 2020
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
I hope anyone harmed this evening by the shooter and/or exposure to the coronavirus while visiting the Great Mall makes a full recovery.
We need that federal stimulus package to pass out of Congress so more people working retail have enough money to stay at home until the surge calms down.
Wear a mask.
Keep physical distance from others (MORE THAN 6 feet).
Stay home.
Be kind.