MILPITAS, CA – December 19: First responders transport a shooting victim from Great Mall in Milpitas, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AIO Filmz)
Police from multiple agencies were assisting Milpitas police Saturday evening with a shooting at the Great Mall.
Milpitas police issued a statement on Twitter saying officers were currently investigating a shooting at the mall, and that they asked stores to have customers shelter in place.
“Out of an abundance of caution we have asked all stores to shelter-in-place while officers continue assessing the situation. Please stay away from the area and we’ll provide additional updates shortly.”
MPD is currently investigating a shooting at the Great Mall. Out of an abundance of caution we have asked all stores to shelter-in-place while officers continue assessing the situation. Please stay away from the area and we’ll provide additional updates shortly.
— Milpitas Police (@MilpitasPD) December 20, 2020
Milpitas police did not offer any other details about the shooting, including whether there were any victims and whether a suspect was still at large. First responders were seen transporting one victim on a stretcher from the mall, a photographer from AIO Filmz said.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Michael Low said at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday that his office was assisting Milpitas police with what he said is “a very active and ongoing incident right now.”
Other witnesses said that police from other agencies also were at the mall assisting Milpitas police.
Milpitas resident Nikhil Saraf, who lives across the street from the mall, said he looked out his living room window and saw multiple police vehicles converge on the mall. He had heard about the shelter in place orders but it looked like police were allowing people to leave one store at a time. He saw customers file out peacefully to loved ones waiting outside.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.