EDMONTON ALBERTA, West Edmonton Mall was placed under lockdown Thursday afternoon after police responded to a reported weapons complaint, prompting a large law enforcement presence and widespread concern among shoppers and employees.
According to the Edmonton Police Service, officers were dispatched to the mall after reports of a possible weapon in the area. Multiple gunshot may have been heard near the Bourbon Street area, though police have not confirmed that a firearm was discharged.
As a precaution, mall security initiated a lockdown, with shoppers and staff directed into nearby stores while a recorded lockdown announcement played over the mall’s intercom system. Videos shared on social media showed police vehicles surrounding the mall as officers moved through the complex to secure the scene.
In a statement, Edmonton Police said:
“Police are on scene at West Edmonton Mall and are currently investigating a weapons complaint. The public is asked to avoid the area, follow all police directions, and refrain from filming officers performing operational duties.”
The lockdown was lifted around 1:15 p.m., but police continued to ask members of the public to stay away from the area as the investigation wrapped up.
This marks the second police incident at West Edmonton Mall this week. On Monday night, officers responded around 8:20 p.m. following reports that a person had pointed a gun at another individual inside the mall. Police later confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was apprehended and that the weapon involved was a toy gun designed to resemble a real firearm.
Despite the discovery, police described the situation as potentially dangerous.
“Because of the risk to public and officer safety, police treat all firearm complaints as real,” Edmonton Police said in a social media post. “Officers will respond quickly, using appropriate resources, tactics, and levels of force. These encounters can become deadly, even when the gun is not real.”
No injuries have been reported in Thursday’s incident, and no arrests have been announced. Police have not released further details regarding the nature of the weapons complaint.
Edmonton Police said updates will be provided as more information becomes available and continued to stress the importance of public cooperation during active investigations.
