New Jersey: Heavy Gunfire has been reported at Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall at Paramus, NJ during evening hours today.
Officers from Paramus and neighboring municipalities have reached the spot and are combating the Gunman along with State Police and SWAT. The Incident started at around 9:20 PM local time and the Mall has been locked down after the reports of shooting.
The Chicago Tribune reports that entire mall has been evacuated successfully. Some reports say that the Shooter has also left the mall along with others.
According to NBC News, a man dressed in all black, including a black helmet, was carrying a rifle and started firing shots inside the mall. He was covered from Head to Toe as if the whole incident was well planned.
The Exact number of Gunman as well as any casualties could not be confirmed. Frightened customers are tweeting that they’re being escorted out by armed state troopers. One woman writes that she ran from the mall “screaming”.
Westfield Garden State Plaza is located at the intersection of Route 4 and Route 17 near the Garden State Parkway. It includes over 200 stores and 50 restaurants and eateries. Built in 1957, it bills itself as “the premiere shopping destination in the tri-state area” encompassing 2.1 million square feet, according to its Facebook page. The Mall is one of the Highest Revenue grossing Malls in the United States.
NOTE: The above article also reflects latest updates from the venue.