Reports of a possible shooting prompted a heavy police response at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey, on Tuesday, though authorities have not yet confirmed that gunfire occurred and the mall has not released an official statement.
Social media users were among the first to report unusual activity at the large shopping center. One Facebook user said they saw police vehicles arriving from multiple directions near the mall and expressed concern for public safety.
Another Facebook post was the first to report that 4 people were involved in the incident and 2 suspect were reportedly detained by the police department.
BREAKING UPDATE: Authorities say 4 people were involved, and 2 suspects are now in custody after the active shooter situation in Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey.
The situation remains under investigation. pic.twitter.com/y9n0c77g18
— Resist Times (@ResistTimes_US) December 31, 2025
Another post on X claimed to have heard reports of shots fired near Bloomingdale’s inside Willowbrook Mall, adding to growing speculation online.
As of Tuesday evening, law enforcement had not publicly verified the shooting reports. The extent of any injuries or arrests, if any incident did occur, remains unclear.
WATCH: Footage shows a fight breaking out at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey, with people throwing chairs.
The incident was followed by an active shooter situation. Reports indicate 4 people were involved and 2 suspects are detained by the police. pic.twitter.com/au3Cj7Tgpy
— Resist Times (@ResistTimes_US) December 31, 2025
Adding to the confusion, North Jersey transportation officials said there was a separate motor vehicle accident near the mall that caused traffic and transit disruptions.
North Jersey Buses announced that Route 712, including the 6:00 p.m. departure from Willowbrook Mall to the Hackensack Bus Terminal, was delayed because of the nearby crash. It is not yet known whether the accident was related to the police activity reported by witnesses.
Willowbrook Mall is a major regional shopping destination in Passaic County, located near the intersection of Route 23, U.S. Route 46, and Interstate 80. The mall serves the wider New York metropolitan area and includes more than 160 retail stores and restaurants.
The mall has previously experienced temporary closures due to emergencies. Earlier this year, on June 29, Willowbrook Mall was briefly shut down while fire department crews handled operations in the area. At that time, the Wayne Police Department urged the public to avoid the vicinity.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, police responded to a separate incident involving gunfire at South Hills Village Mall in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Bethel Park Police said officers were called to the area outside the AMC Theatre around 4 p.m. after reports of a shooting.
According to police, officers found a man who had been assaulted and determined that an unknown number of shots had been fired, though no one was struck by gunfire.
The suspects fled the scene but were later taken into custody by neighboring South Hills police departments. Allegheny County Police are now leading the investigation, and authorities said there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Investigations into both situations remain ongoing, and officials are urging the public to rely on confirmed information from law enforcement as details continue to emerge.
