Masked suspect incites panic after making threats at Memorial City Mall: HPD
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities are searching for a person of interest they say sent shoppers into a panic on Sunday at Memorial City Mall.
Houston police say it is not an active shooter situation, and initially said a male suspect set off firecrackers inside the mall, alarming patrons and sending them into a panic. But in an update on twitter, HPD said there were actually no fireworks discharged.
During a press conference, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap said surveillance video shows the suspect at 3:12 p.m. going up the escalator to the movie theatre. A few minutes later, the suspect was seen wearing a red half-mask. He took the escalators down to the food court area, where he jumped on a table and declared he was going to kill himself.
"He had something in a bag, and that point he had thrown the bag. At this point we have chaos - people started fleeing. He actually exited out the south entrance and headed in this direction over here towards these apartment complexes," Heap said.
They say the suspect has not been located at this time but have numerous witnesses and will continue to investigate the incident.
WATCH: Authorities release details on incident that sent shoppers into panic at Memorial Mall
According to Houston police, they are investigating this as a terroristic threat.
At least two people were injured during the incident, police say.
"Two injuries that occurred, fairly minor one of them was a 16-year-old boy and his mother. They were taken to the hospital they got caught up in the mass hysteria of the exit. It appears we have a minor ankle or leg injury and the mother was stepped on a few times on her back as she was trying to help her son," said Houston police's Cheryl Victorian.
Authorities say the suspect is described as a white male in his teens or early 20s.
Mall officials say Memorial City Mall is closed at this time.
Authorities say shoppers who left their stuff behind can pick it up on Monday.
Moments following the scare at Memorial Mall, Houston police responded to reports of shots fired at a Walmart located at the 9400 block of W. Sam Houston Parkway South.
Upon arrival, HPD said they could not find evidence that indicated shots were fired.
Walmart released the following statement regarding the incident.
"We've been partnering closely with police to investigate the unknown noise heard in our store earlier today. We're thankful for the safety of our customers and associates, and have now reopened."
The incidents come just a week following the deadly shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.
