Gardens Mall on lockdown in Palm Beach as cops swarm after shoppers flee 'shooter inside'

THE Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been put on lockdown after a reported shooting sent terrified shoppers fleeing.

A local source initially said at least two people were wounded, but later said they had yet to locate anyone who had been injured.

"There are reports of shots being fired at the Gardens Mall," the PBGPD (@PBGPD) said in a post on X.

Police said the mall is currently closed.

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"First responders are on scene and investigating. The mall is on lockdown at this time."

The incident appeared to occur near the mall's Nordstrom and Macy's stores.

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A local shopper named Toni Lester was leaving Nordstrom when she heard a "big bang" and then saw shoppers running for the exits and talking about a shooter inside, she told local NBC affiliate WPTV.

"They said, 'There's a shooter in the mall. Get out,'" Lester said.

Police escorted her outside and checked her car before allowing her to leave the premises.

"I left the mall and every single vehicle that was exiting the mall was searched before we actually left," Lester said.

"I was told to open my windows. They checked my trunk. They checked my windows. They were just making sure nobody was in the car except for me."

The 1.4 million square-foot mall houses over 160 different shops and restaurants.

Police have asked residents to avoid the area while the lockdown is ongoing, according to local ABC affiliate WPBF.

Officials also decided to put the nearby Gardens campus of Palm Beach State College and St. Mark's Episcopal School on lockdown.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School, Palm Beach Gardens Community High School, Timber Trace Elementary School, and Watson B. Duncan Middle School have restricted movement until further notice.

Schools will be using a modified dismissal procedure for students this afternoon.

The situation has also disrupted traffic in the area.