Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, January 5, 2015
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indianapolis police responded to reports of multiple fights and gunshots at Castleton Square Mall Saturday evening.
Officers were originally called to the mall just before 8 p.m. on reports of "large pockets of unruly juveniles causing a disturbance."
By 10 p.m., IMPD officers had mostly dispersed a large crowd of hundreds of teenagers that gathered outside the mall following reports of shots fired and a large brawl inside.
The department posted on its official Twitter account that "no specific threats of violence" had been reported to police prior to the incident, but that it had been monitoring social media for hints of potential "mall brawls."
Early Sunday, officials confirmed no one was hurt or arrested in the fight. IMPD said there were reports of shots fired, but no physical evidence of gunfire had yet been discovered.
"It's embarrassing and it's disappointing because I think this was calculated by someone or a group of people. It's unacceptable. It's an embarrassment for their parents and for them; that's what's troubling for me," said Ofc. Christopher Wilburn.
Officers said they question whether Indianapolis teens are mimicking what they've seen at other regional malls. In December, a large fight broke out at an Ohio mall -- apparently over scuffed shoes.
Castleton Square Mall has been the scene of at least two other violent incidents since 2013.
In March 2013, police arrested five teens after fights broke out at the mall . At least one of those teens was carrying a firearm.
Last October, a fight broke out in front of the AMC Theater that resulted in the arrests of a 16-year-old and 17-year-old.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.