This afternoon a gentleman who follows me on Twitter asked if I had heard of the active shooter at the Southland Center in Taylor. I responded with this tweet:

A sign of the times I guess. Taylor police were alerted to a smash and grab inside a jewelers shop at around 5:40PM Sunday afternoon. The sound of the display cabinet breaking made shoppers immediately think that someone was busting loose with rounds inside the mall.

Taylor PD Dispatch Audio

Thankfully that wasn’t the case. It’s all too common for people to immediately assume an active shooting incident is taking place, causing panic not only at the scene but also on social media.

This time however, I saw no evidence of media jumping on the active shooter bandwagon. The only tweet I saw even referencing the incident was from reporter Ali Hoxie at WXYZ.

A responsible journalist, checking with local law enforcement before declaring an active shooter incident. Props to WXYZ reporter Ali Hoxie. Refreshing.

It’s true that active shooter incidents happen across the US on an all too frequent basis, but declaring one before the facts are known isn’t helping anyone. Patience is a virtue when dealing with incidents that aren’t fully understood.

Taylor Police News Release

December 16, 2018 6:52 PM

NO SHOOTER, OR SHOOTING at Southland Center Sunday evening (December 16)

Despite rumors, there was no shooting, or active shooter, at Southland Center on Sunday evening, December 16. A smash and grab robbery took place at one of the retailers, and breaking glass sounded like gunfire. The first call to police erroneously reported an active shooter. No one was injured. Many police patrol cars responded. They are investigating. -Taylor Police Department.

Michigan State Police

Taylor, Mi: On 12/16 at approximately 5:40PM ten troopers and three K-9 units were dispatched to the Southland Mall for a possible active shooter.

It was determined that it was a smash and grab robbery and the sounds of the broken glass may have caused witnesses to believe it was gunfire.

All MSP units have returned to normal patrol. There were no reports of injuries.

Taylor police are investigating a smash-and-grab at a jewelry store in Southland Center Mall. If you have information about this incident, please call the Taylor Police Department at 734-374-8738.

The post Breaking Glass To Active Shooter In 2 Seconds Flat appeared first on Motor City 911.