A hostile environment and reports of shots fired on Saturday night at Eastland Mall in Evansville turned out to be nothing more than a fight that panicked those who saw it break out. A Carmi family was at Dillards near where the hullabaloo occurred. Evansville Police say they were sitting in the parking lot finishing a report when they noticed people running out of the mall yelling shots had been fired. The officers rushed in according to a release. Two off duty Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputies were also on scene and responded to the fight. Those deputies say they never heard any shots fired. The mall was placed on lockdown however while the situation was sorted out. A total of five men were taken to Evansville PD headquarters for questioning. Two juveniles have been arrested on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Dangerous Possession of a Firearm. During the search a handgun and an extended handgun magazine were located. The investigation is ongoing and security footage is still being reviewed. Evansville Police say additional arrests are possible. The Carmi family say their two kids were understandably shaken emotionally by the event.
