Police respond to Monroeville Mall for reports of multiple fights

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Police from four agencies were called to the Monroeville Mall Friday evening for the report of a fight, according to Allegheny County Communications Director Amie Downs.

Downs confirmed that a 911 call first requested police come to the mall for a fight. She said Monroeville police were dispatched to the mall and then a follow-up call was made asking for additional support.

Wilkins, Churchill and Allegheny County police officers were also dispatched.

Monroeville Police Chief K. Douglas Cole told Channel 11 News that there were about 1,000 children and teens in the mall when up to six different fights took place.

Cole said at least two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Numerous videos and photos of the fights began to circulate on social media Friday evening, including one video taken by Joe Beers.

WATCH Joe Beers' cellphone video of fight inside Monroeville Mall.

“On the lower floor, people were running into the stores to hide,” Beers said. “We were obviously scared. We were thinking how worse of a situation it would have been if we were down on a lower floor.”

According to Cole, large groups of teens began showing up around 5 p.m., with the crowds swelling to as many as 1,000, according to mall security officers.

Cole said he doesn't believe it was an organized event or protest.

Employees said stores closed early after fights were reported around 8 p.m. Cole reported minor damage to the mall, including to kiosks.

Cole said he expects officers to issue disorderly conduct citations. He said two arrests for fighting were related to an earlier domestic dispute.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.