Reaction to shots fired at University Park Mall

Is the University Park Mall safe?

That is what many have been asking since shots were fired Saturday.

Although the incident is under investigation and no one is believed to be hurt, some headed to social media to discuss whether going to the mall is safe.

Online shopping is something hurting the traditional mall business, with Concord Mall being a local example of the changing times in the shopping world.

However, some on social media are questioning the safety of the University Park Mall, and all malls, and if they are worth it to visit.

Those shopping Sunday said they felt safe.

“It was actually pretty nice. A lot of stores were closed. I felt pretty safe and everything inside, considering everything that happened yesterday, but everything’s pretty good in there. There’s probably at least 15 stores, maybe more, closed. I think that’s probably why, because of yesterday.” said Nicholas Cox, University Park Mall shopper.

Another man in Mishawaka on Sunday said almost everything nowadays can be done with a click of a button, but being around people can help in numerous other ways.

“But I can’t say that I would want to live in a world or we are 100% inside, because although we might physically be safe, there’s a mental health aspect of it, and we lose community that way as well.” said Dustin Crump, Goshen resident.

Crump said, the issue isn’t exactly the mall that is unsafe, but everyone visiting respecting the safety of others.

He said, this doesn’t steer him away from visiting the mall, and he hopes this leads to positive changes within the community.

“Say the UP mall, we’ve got kind of an enclosed area at the very least. I think we should be focusing on the safety of the people that are coming in so that we have community and we have those options.” said Crump.

Again, there is an ongoing investigation into what happened.

The last update we can share from police is they do not believe anyone was shot.

Many people who were at the mall when shots were fired went to Facebook to speak highly of the emergency safety procedures the various stores had.