Shelter in place at a mall in Florida that was put on lockdown by a gunman is “very safe” according to the Department of Emergency Management.
The Department of Homeland Security tweeted that the lockdown was due to a “manhunt” for an individual who “directed at least one of the shooters to the area of the mall where he shot the victims.”
A spokeswoman for the Mall of America, which is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Orlando, confirmed to ABC News that the mall had been put on a “closed” lockdown.
A spokeswoman for The Mall of Florida said the mall was closed for about an hour.
The mall was not in lockdown.
A statement from the Department said, “This is a difficult time for our nation and we stand ready to provide our community with assistance to help keep them safe.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured in the attack, their families and loved ones and our fellow citizens who have been impacted by the tragedy,” it said.
President Donald Trump tweeted: “This Mall of American, which was put into lockdown due to an attack in Orlando, Florida, is now open and operating normally.
Stay safe!””
The Mall of the Americas in Orlando is closed due to the threat of an active shooter,” the Mall said in a statement.
“The mall will be open for the public once more, and we will be in touch with our visitors and employees as soon as possible.”
