Crime & Safety
Popping Tires Mistaken for Gunfire at Garden State Plaza
Paramus mall evacuated at about 9 p.m. Saturday after some reported hearing what they believed to be gunfire.
The sounds of popping tires from a car bursting into flames in a mall parking lot were mistaken as gunfire at the Garden State Plaza Saturday night.
The Paramus mall was evacuated at about 9 p.m. Saturday, but authorities later determined the reports of gunfire were likely the sounds of a car bursting into flames outside Macy's.
"All NJSP assets clear from #GardenStatePlaza," the New Jersey State Police Tweeted at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. "No shots fired after all, based on evidence and interviews."
Crowds of people stormed out of the mall at about 9 p.m. Saturday as hundreds of police officers, some in full body armor, EMS and fire officials arrived on the scene, according to NorthJersey.com.
One teen said "people went crazy" at about 8:10 p.m. as hundreds went into a panic when they heard what they believed to be gunfire, according to NorthJersey.com.
At about the same time, a car burst into flames outside Macy's with a tire explosion on the burning sedan causing the panic, a law enforcement official told NJ.com.
Less than a year ago, a 20-year-old Teaneck man opened fire last November at the Garden State Plaza before committing suicide.
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