EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Police say a man looking to service a gun prompted a lockdown at Eden Prairie Center Tuesday afternoon.
The mall, located at 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, went into lockdown shortly after noon due to reports of a person with a weapon. Police lifted the lockdown about an hour later. No injuries were reported.
Shoppers told KARE 11 they were told a hunter brought his gun into a sporting store, looking to buy accessories for it. Once he learned the lockdown was because of him, he left.
Police later substantiated those reports stating a mall employee saw a man carrying a gun case into the Scheels store with the intent of having the firearm serviced. When he was told this particular Scheels didn't offer gun services, he left.
The lockdown has been lifted. Shoppers say they were told it was because of a misunderstanding... they say a hunter allegedly brought his gun into a sporting store, looking to buy for accessories for it. Once he learned the lockdown was because of him, ‘he removed himself.’ pic.twitter.com/Zaa33yATZV
— Zachery Lashway (@ZachLashway) November 21, 2017
Eden Prairie mall went into lock down around noon today. There was a report of a person with a gun in the mall that triggered it. pic.twitter.com/vFvDM6zIbJ
— Brian Toltzman (@EverydayJoe) November 21, 2017
"From the information we gathered, it doesn’t sound like he had any ill-intent here. He came in with a cased firearm, walked into the store to have it serviced, found out there were no services, left without incident," said Sgt. Jamie Good of the Eden Prairie Police Department.
Both Eden Prairie Police and the Eden Prairie Center used Twitter to relay information to the public.
"Please stay out of the area. If you are at the mall, please shelter in place," a tweet reads from the Eden Prairie Police Department. "Officers have responded and are clearing the mall."
"Eden Prairie Center is currently in lockdown. Please do not enter the mall until an all clear is given," a tweet reads.
Eden Prairie Center is on lockdown for a report of a person with a weapon. Please stay out of the area. If you are at the mall, please shelter in place.
— Eden Prairie PD (@EdenPrairiePD) November 21, 2017
Eden Prairie Center is currently in lockdown. Please do not enter the mall until an all clear is given.
— Eden Prairie Center (@EdenPrairieCtr) November 21, 2017
Police say, at this time, it appears nothing illegal occurred and no one will be charged with a crime.