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Mall security closed down Woodland Mall Monday evening after a large scale fight broke out at around 6:30pm. The mall has mostly been evacuated, but as of 7:15pm, many mall employees remain locked in breakrooms throughout the building.
Todd Freeman, an on-site mall employee, believed that the fights were associated with some kind of gang activity and appear to have originated near the foodcourt.
While multiple people have reported seeing a gun, no shots have actually been fired.
"I haven't heard any injury reports," Freeman said "it just incited a lot of panic."
Freeman speculated that as many as 200 were involved in the altercation, but mall security used pepper spray to contain the brawlers.
Dispatchers have indicated that while the mall is closed, it is not technically on "lock down," and workers are free to leave.
Many eyewitnesses have taken to Twitter with first-hand accounts of the chaos.
While the rest of the mall has closed, Celebration Cinemas at Woodland will remain open, but all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
UPDATE: Several anchor stores, including Macy's and Barnes & Noble, will remain open until normal closing hours.
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