MESQUITE, Texas — Updated Nov. 24 with a statement from Mesquite police.
Town East Mall in Mesquite was placed on lockdown Saturday evening after false reports of a shooting, officials say.
Authorities say there was no indication of any gunshots being fired, instead the lockdown was prompted by a large altercation.
Officials say around 5 p.m., there was a fight involving eight to 10 people. At one point, the suspects threw trashcans and chairs at each other, according to police.
The suspects involved in the fight fled the mall before officers arrived on the scene, authorities say.
In a new release sent Sunday afternoon, Mesquite police said they entered the mall after being called multiple times from people inside the mall at the time of the lockdown.
A video circulating on Facebook shows Mesquite officers with guns drawn at a barbershop inside the mall, with people on the ground asking the police why their guns are drawn.
Meqsuite police responded to that video Sunday, writing in the news release that they were commanding the people in the area to lay on the ground for their safety while the police assessed the area for any potential threat.
"Despite the frustrations conveyed in the audio of the individual who captured the incident, the Mesquite Police Department's response was to ensure the safety of all citizens inside the mall," the news release said. "We appreciate everyone who cooperated with the responding officers while we attempted to clarify a chaotic and potentially dangerous scene."
Mall security confirmed it is part of safety protocol to place the mall on lockdown anytime a disturbance occurs.
Mesquite is located about 25 minutes east of Dallas.
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