Delaware State Police still reviewing security footage of Christiana Mall shooting scare

No arrests have been made in the fight at Christiana Mall three days before Christmas that touched off an "active shooter" panic sending holiday shoppers fleeing for safety.

An automated "active shooter" message rang through the mall's common area on the evening of Dec. 22, followed by a dispatcher speaking to the crowds, said the mall's general manager, Steven Chambliss. 

As heavily armed police responded to a call of shots fired at the mall, shoppers dropped shopping bags, purses and phones and made a dash for the parking lot or took refuge in storage rooms. Some called loved ones, others tightly hugged friends and family who had been separated during the mayhem.

No gunshot victims or evidence of a shooting at Christiana Mall, police say

Police later found no evidence of gunshots. They attributed the panic to a fight between several people that caused glass to shatter and a metal sign fall to the floor making a loud noise mistaken as gunfire.

State troopers are still reviewing surveillance footage of the fight between "multiple subjects" and actively interviewing witnesses, said Master Cpl. Michael Austin of state police.

"We are looking into every possible investigatory lead," Austin said. 

Shooting scare highlights why police, malls plan for dangerous moments

Michael Aumiller and his wife were doing some last-minute holiday shopping when they heard a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, then another and another, he said. 

"We just turned into Macy's to get one last thing and that's when we saw people scurrying and that's when we heard a pop and we turned around and that's when we saw people were running all over," Aumiller said. 

While many fled the mall, some shoppers were gathered and huddled in a storage room or an office, waiting for any information. 

After shooting scare, Christiana Mall reminds parents about curfews for minors

For those who have lost personal belongings at the mall that night, items can be picked up at the management office or at the store where the possession was dropped, Chambliss said. About 80 percent of the items in the mall's common area have been returned. But those who lost possession in a specific store, there are lost and founds at each shop. 

DELAWARE CRIME

Homicide charges filed against Delaware man in crash that killed Philly Mummers

Walgreens and Royal Farms robbed by man threatening to use pepper spray

Former Christiana teacher faces DUI sentencing for Rehoboth crash

​​​​Contact Josephine Peterson at (302) 324-2856 or jhpeterson@delawareonline.com. Follow her @jopeterson93.