Massive brawls and food court fights broke out at more than a dozen malls across the US on Monday (local time).
The mall incidents, which ranged from minor fights to mass evacuations, occurred from Colorado to Tennessee, and Texas to New Jersey, CBS News reports.
Police are still unsure about why nearly a dozen brawls happened around the country, but say that social media may have played a role.
Dozens of police officers rushed in to respond to a fight at Fox Valley Mall outside of Chicago, as dozens of panicked shoppers ran for building exits. Police say nearly 1000 teens gathered at around 6:30pm. The mall closed for more than an hour.
Eight shoppers were injured while running for exits when somebody yelled "gun" after a chair slammed in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Officers armed with rifles and riot shields searched the food court.
Officers responded to reports of an active shooter in Fort Worth, Texas, although it turned out there was no gunman.
Beachwood Place Mall in Ohio was placed on lockdown and officers used pepper spray to disperse a large crowd after a fight.
Newshub.
