Shot fired in Lakeline Mall food court prompts large law enforcement response

CEDAR PARK, Texas - The lockdown has been lifted at Lakeline Mall, but the mall remained closed for the day while investigators continued searching the area. 

There was a heavy law enforcement presence on Thursday afternoon. The sights and sounds filled the area, from the loud Austin Police helicopter flying overhead to the sirens and flashing red and blue lights. 

RELATED: Lakeline Mall closed for the night after shot fired, no injuries: APD

"At first, we didn’t know what happened because we just heard the noise," said a witness working inside the mall. "A big noise and I see outside, everybody running, screaming, crying." 

Reports of a shooting came to first responders around four in the afternoon. 

"Inside the food court was a dispute between two groups of people," said Austin Chief of Police Lisa Davis. "A shot was fired inside the food court. At that point, witnesses saw the individuals run from the mall." 

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The mall went into lockdown. APD, Cedar Park Police, DPS, EMS, and fire were among the many first responders who arrived on the scene. Roads remained blocked off well into the evening hours. 

"The policeman come see me and tell me to stay inside and don’t move," said a witness. "I turned my light off and stayed inside."

Law enforcement swept the mall and parking; thankfully, they did not find anyone with injuries. 

"To be able to tell someone, look everyone's fine; there’s no casualties from this," said Chief Davis. "This was an incident between two groups, and they fled. So that’s the best outcome here. But again, we will find who this was."

It was an isolated incident, and police said there was no threat to the public. APD is still searching for the shooter, and no arrests have been made.