Police Respond to Skokie Mall After Reports of Man With Gun
Overview
Police in Skokie, Illinois, are responding to confirmed reports of a man with a gun at Westfield Old Orchard Mall this afternoon, prompting authorities to urge the public to avoid the area while investigations continue.
Heavy Police Presence Outside Mall
Skokie Police Department released a statement at around 3pm CT warning residents and shoppers to stay away from the mall. Officers have established a large police presence outside the Nordstrom entrance, and surrounding roads are partially restricted.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple police vehicles racing towards the area as businesses inside the mall were told to barricade their doors.
Timeline of Incident
-
Just after 3pm CT: Police issued the first warning on social media advising the public to avoid the Old Orchard Mall area.
-
By 3:20pm CT: Local news outlets captured images of officers surrounding the mall and establishing security perimeters.
Details Remain Unclear
As of now, no injuries or arrests have been confirmed. Authorities have not commented on the suspected individual’s current whereabouts or the exact nature of the threat.
Investigators are working to secure the scene and confirm whether the suspect remains inside the mall.
Public Safety Advice
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Skokie Police immediately and for those nearby to follow official instructions and avoid the area.
