Two New York City malls were put on lockdown several minutes apart after fireworks were mistaken for gunfire.
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The fireworks went off approximately 15 minutes apart at two malls in the Bronx and Brooklyn
Early Saturday afternoon, witnesses claim they heard gunshots near the food court area at the Bay Plaza Mall in the Bronx. However, NYPD investigators said the “gunshots” were actually fireworks that were set off near the area around 1:30 p.m. According to the New York Post, a similar incident took place 15 minutes later when fireworks also went off at the Kings Plaza mall in Brooklyn. Patrons at the mall mistook them for fireworks.
“There were fireworks. No injuries, no arrests at this time,” said an NYPD spokeswoman. Investigators did not indicate whether the fireworks incidents were pranks or related.
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Mall visitors went on Twitter to address the NYPD and MTA about the situation before it was confirmed there were no active shooters
During the separate incidents, many people went on Twitter to see if the mistaken gunshots were an active shooter situation due to the various mass shootings that were taken place around the United States recently.
However, it was confirmed on the Citizen app that the “shootings” were actually fireworks that went off in the malls at separate times.
Mall employees at Bay Plaza also confirmed that the recently opened Apple Store was not attacked by gunmen and everyone at the mall was given the option to stay at the store or go home during the fireworks incident.
So far, a statement from Mayor Eric Adams or NYPD commissioner Keechant L. Sewell about the two incidents has yet to be released. The incidents are currently under investigation.