Willowbrook Mall shooting: 4 people involved, 2 suspects detained

Three people were taken into custody Tuesday night after a shooting inside the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey, triggering panic among shoppers and a massive law enforcement response.

Wayne Police Chief Joseph Rooney said the incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. in the mall’s food court following an altercation involving multiple individuals. During the confrontation, a single gunshot was fired, prompting witnesses to flee and call 911. Several suspects were seen running from the area immediately after the shot was fired, Rooney said.

Despite the alarming circumstances, police confirmed that no one was injured in the incident. “At this time, the situation at Willowbrook Mall is under control,” Rooney said in a statement released Tuesday night. “All are asked to avoid the area as the investigation continues.”

By early Wednesday morning, police announced that two adults and one juvenile had been taken into custody in connection with the altercation and gunfire. Authorities have not released the identities of those detained, nor have they provided details about potential charges, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The initial report of shots fired prompted an overwhelming police response from Wayne and surrounding jurisdictions. Patrol vehicles, ambulances, and tactical units converged on the mall as officers worked to secure the scene, clear stores, and ensure there was no ongoing threat to the public. Portions of the mall were evacuated as a precaution, while some shoppers and employees sheltered in place until officers deemed it safe to leave.

Several people inside the mall described moments of fear and confusion as word spread that a gunshot had been fired. Andre Moore, who was shopping at the time, said he heard a loud bang and immediately sensed something was wrong.

“I heard a loud bang and saw another patron run back into the store that I was shopping in,” Moore said. “He told us it was gunfire, that a gunshot had been fired. After that, the store manager took us to the back so they could keep us all safe.”

Other shoppers reported seeing people running through corridors and ducking into stores as alarms sounded and police arrived. Some said they initially believed the noise might have been a falling object or construction-related, until panic quickly set in.

Willowbrook Mall, a major regional shopping center located near Route 23, U.S. Route 46, and Interstate 80, is one of the busiest malls in northern New Jersey, particularly during evening hours. The presence of a shooting, even without injuries, heightened concerns among customers and employees who were still inside the building when the incident unfolded.

Police spent several hours combing the area, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and collecting evidence from the food court and nearby sections of the mall. Investigators are working to determine what sparked the altercation, who fired the shot, and whether the weapon has been recovered.

Despite the disruption, authorities said the mall would reopen on Wednesday and resume normal operations. Police indicated that additional patrols may be present as a precaution and to reassure the public.

Chief Rooney emphasized that the incident was isolated and that there is no ongoing threat. Still, the shooting has renewed concerns about public safety in crowded shopping spaces and the speed at which routine outings can turn chaotic.

As the investigation continues, police say more details will be released once charges are finalized and the circumstances surrounding the altercation become clearer.

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