Three people, including one minor, were taken into custody after a scuffle at a New Jersey shopping mall on Tuesday evening led to a gunshot being fired, authorities said.
"The Wayne Police Department received reports that shots had been fired in the food court area of Willowbrook Mall and that multiple subjects were observed fleeing the scene," Rooney said.
"It was determined that some form of physical altercation resulted in a shot being fired. Officers found no apparent victims however, subjects were detained for investigation."
In an update, the police chief said the department had finished processing the scene and that officers had arrested three suspects.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the suspects. Rooney encouraged anyone with information about the altercation to contact the Wayne Police Detective Bureau directly.
He also assured the public that the dispute appeared to be an isolated incident and said officers found no evidence of an ongoing threat at the mall.
"I heard two shots, that's what I heard," she recalled. "And then the first shot people thought it was just a bottle cap or something. And then once the second shot went off that's when everyone started really getting scared."
The shopping center was evacuated following the altercation and reopened at its normal time on Wednesday.
In the wake of the shooting, several people took to social media to commend first responders who attended the scene.
"Thank you WPD for keeping the area safe," another echoed. "My son was at the movie theater. Thank you also to those who shared the incident within minutes. Scary times."