'No shots fired': No shooting at Florida Mall; fireworks may be to blame, deputies say
ORLANDO, Fla. - Panic broke out Saturday after people began to run from what they believed to be gunfire at The Florida Mall in Orlando. At least one person suffered a laceration to the head after slipping and falling amid the chaos, according to the Orange County Fire Rescue.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said there had been no shooting and that fireworks – not gunfire – may be to blame.
"Alert: NO shots fired at Florida Mall," OCSO said in a tweet at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. "Loud noise is suspected fireworks. Please help tamp down those false rumors."
Shortly before, reports of a shooting and a possible active shooter flooded social media, followed by videos of shoppers running through the mall or hiding in stores. Some people called the FOX 35 newsroom to report a shooting.
This is the second false shooting scare in Orlando that has prompted crowds to run within weeks.
Hundreds of people ran during the Fourth of July fireworks show at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando after a noise – potentially fireworks mistaken for gunfire – startled some in the crowd, which prompted a chain-reaction.
After investigating videos and tips, Orlando police concluded there was no evidence of a shooting.