Westfield Century City mall back open; no evidence of shooting, device non-explosive

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Westfield Century City has now re-opened for business after an evacuation Friday as police investigated reports of a man with a gun and a suspicious package inside the mall. Police published a tweet saying there was no evidence of a shooting, and bomb squad determined the device was not an explosive.

A bomb squad responded to the multi-level building, located in the 10000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, around 1:30 p.m. to investigate the report of a suspicious package.

Police initially responded just after 12:30 p.m. on a report of a man with a gun inside the mall, and the facility was placed on lockdown.

When officers arrived, they saw people running out of the mall. Officers entered the mall attempting to locate the reported suspect. Police said there was no evidence of a shooting or any victims.

While conducting their search, officers were directed to a suspicious package inside the Amazon store. Out of an abundance of caution, the LAPD Bomb Squad and Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene. LAPD and LAFD are still investigating this incident.

Some were told to shelter in place inside stores at the mall, which contains more than 200 shops and restaurants.

Authorities are still in the process of evacuating the mall.

Video posted on social media showed shoppers and employees standing outside of the building while police worked to clear the scene.

FOX 11 anchor Christine Devine spoke to employees who were inside the mall during Friday's incidents. One man said as he was returning to work at Bloomingdale's, he saw several people running out of the store and was told to evacuate.

Beverly Hills High School, located about a mile away from the mall, was temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution.

Parents were asked to pick up students using westbound Durant Drive at South Moreno Drive and to show identification.