RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Police are investigating a disturbance Saturday at the Saint Louis Galleria mall during which a drum beat from a protest was mistaken and initially perceived by some to be a gunshot.
Several officers from the Richmond Heights Police responded to Galleria around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police say there was a pro-Palestinian rally that took place at the mall around that time. As one activist started beating on a drum, the noise initially caused some panic and led some people to believe it was the sound of a gunshot.
Officers responded to the mall promptly and learned about the rally, telling FOX 2’s Elliott Davis that there were no gunshots inside or around the mall.
Police tell FOX 2 that security officers have cleared the situation and people are coming in and out of the mall as normal. No injuries have been reported.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.