COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police said they have cleared Polaris Fashion Place after shots were fired inside the mall Monday afternoon.
Columbus police officers and deputies with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office were called to the mall shortly after 3 p.m.
Sergeant James Fuqua said the incident happened inside the mall on the first level.
Fuqua said two groups of younger people got into a confrontation which resulted in at least one person firing shots. One witness said they heard three shots fired.
No injuries have been reported.
As of 6:20 p.m., police said the mall has been cleared but it is unknown if the mall will reopen Monday night.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Felony Assault Unit Detective Younker at 614-645-4133 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
This is the second incident of shots fired at Polaris in the last two weeks.
On March 3, multiple agencies responded to the mall after a report of shots fired.
It was determined two men, 25-year-old Levon Sommerville and 21-year-old Anthony Truss Jr., fired shots at each other outside Carter's in the lower section of the mall.
Sommerville and Truss are both charged with felonious assault. Police are still searching for both men.
A spokesperson for Washington Prime Group, which owns Polaris Fashion place released the following statement:
"At Polaris Fashion Place the safety of our guests, retailers and employees is our top priority. According to local law enforcement officials, there have been no reported injuries as a result of the isolated incident that occurred today. Our team immediately implemented safety protocols and we continue to cooperate with all police procedures. Over the past two weeks, we have had extra security at Polaris Fashion Place and will continue to increase security presence and work with local law enforcement. We would like to thank our law enforcement agency partners for their quick response ensuring everyone’s safety: Columbus Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Genoa Township Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Worthington Police Department. We continue to work with each of these agencies to cooperate with all of their procedures. Polaris Fashion Place will re-open for normal hours of operation on Tuesday, March 16. For more information, please contact the Columbus Police Department directly at (614) 645-4545.”