Community leader stands behind Monroeville Mall following false report of shooting

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — The Monroeville Mall was back to business as usual on Monday.

The parking lot outside of Macy’s was relatively busy when our crew was on site Monday, looking nothing like the chaotic ordeal on Sunday when police received unfound reports of an active shooter inside the mall. Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole says there’s no physical evidence a gunshot went off inside the mall. Still, the false alarm caused confusion and panic, and temporarily put the building on lockdown days before Christmas.

>>> Unsupported reports of shots fired in Monroeville Mall prompt panic, large police presence

Monroeville community leaders say they’re standing behind the mall.

“If you think you are safe at Ross Park Mall or Robinson Mall, it can happen anywhere,” Ernest Groover said, president of the Monroeville Foundation.

This scare comes days after current mall owners announced the complex is up for sale.

“I think it’s a great opportunity. It’s an opportunity for change, the opportunity to make things better,” Groove said.

Groove argues the Monroeville Mall, which has a police substation inside, is just as safe as any other mall in the area. He doesn’t foresee the complex shutting down and instead hopes that with new ownership will come new life.

“Compared to some of the other malls, it doesn’t have the high-end stores. It is an opportunity for some of the higher-end stores to come in and bring in people who are going to spend that type of money,” he said.

We asked Chief Cole if he thought Sunday’s incident was a swatting call. He said he doesn’t believe so, and instead thinks the 911 caller may have mistaken a cell phone for a gun.

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