This is a breaking situation – more details will be added as they become available.
On Saturday afternoon shortly before 2pmEST, local authorities released that they were responding to an active shooter situation at the La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas, just 10 miles from the U.S., Mexican border. It turned out that it was a jewelry heist and people mistook the glass breaking for shots being fired.
All four suspects have been apprehended and no shots were fired said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
The Hidalgo County Constable Facebook page put out the active shooter warning just before 2pmEST, “Active Shooter at the McAllen Plaza Mall Stay Away from the area! Several law enforcement agencies heading to the scene.”
People were seen fleeing the mall as video surfaced on Twitter.
Active shooters #mcallen #texas pic.twitter.com/QLGB40caI1
— Jesus Maldonado (@maldoj81) July 28, 2018
The situation was brought under control after police apprehended four suspects robbing a jewelry store inside the mall. The reports of the shots fired were the suspects breaking glass.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said in a statement, “We are investigating a robbery attempt at a jewelry store @LaPlazaMall. All known suspects are in custody. No injuries involved.
Reports of shots fired are attributed to smashing glass cases.”
Statement from Chief Rodriguez:
We are investigating a robbery attempt at a jewelry store @LaPlazaMall. All known suspects are in custody. No injuries involved.
Reports of shots fired are attributed to smashing glass cases. #StayInformed— City of McAllen, TX (@CityofMcAllen) July 28, 2018
Nalini Marie posted a video on Twitter of local police apprehending some of the suspects.
Active shooter at La plaza Mall! 2 suspects caught, other one running towards hotel. Stay safe in this crazy world out there! 😳 pic.twitter.com/mgMzEvuykF
— Nalini Marie 🌺 (@nalini_marie28) July 28, 2018
People took to Twitter to tell their story:
I’m at the mall in McAllen, TX. Active shooter situation. We ran, were hidden in a storage room, taken outside, then asked to run back inside before police showed up and the mall was locked down.
We’re now asked to avoid windows due to “activity” outside.
Stay safe out there.
— Abelardo Gómez (@AbelardoGD) July 28, 2018
The La Plaza mall is only 10 miles from the Mexican border.
Map showing location of McAllen, Texas and the La Plaza Mall (Google Maps)
McAllen, Texas sits most closely to the city of Reynosa, Mexico with a population of 600,000.
La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas (Google Maps)
