Orange Park Mall cleared after a fight; Reports of active shooter debunked

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said 600 people were cleared out of the Orange Park Mall on Sunday evening after a fight between three juveniles in the food court led to a response from law enforcement officers.

According to a Sheriff’s Office spokesman, there were initial reports and social media rumors that there was an active shooter in the mall, but those reports were found to be untrue after deputies reviewed mall security video and secured all the businesses.

Orange Park Mall security is letting people back into the mall at 7:30 p.m. to retrieve any items that were left behind during the incident, according to Clay County Chief Baylor Alexander. People who are coming back to retrieve items will be allowed to enter the mall through the food court.

“It felt like those active shooter drills you have when you’re a kid. There was a lot of confusion. We were sitting there without any information,” said shopper Zoe Stetler.

Chief Baylor says there were no injuries and deputies are still trying to locate the three juveniles involved in the altercation.

The Sheriff’s Office held a briefing at 7:30 p.m. and determined there was no threat to the public.