Nothing says "merry Christmas" like throwing punches and people generally losing their damn minds in the local mall. Across the country, punches were thrown and chaos ensued as folks wrapped up their holidays shopping over Christmas weekend with fights, putting the cherry on top of a year that has just utterly sucked in every possible way.
From Colorado to Jersey, here are some of the fights that erupted in malls this past weekend, with credit to CNN for rounding up several of these mall melees.Â
Aurora, Colorado
CNN reports that a social media post set off a fight at the Town Center mall in Aurora, Colorado. About 100 people had amassed in the mall's food court before the fight broke out, and off-duty police officers and mall security attempted to break up the fight, which required backup. Other fights broke out around the mall, the movie theater, and a nearby parking lot. CNN reports that around 500 people total were involved, prompting the mall to close early Monday. Several minors were arrested.Â
Elizabeth, New Jersey
A fight broke out Monday night at The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey where someone slammed a chair, leading someone present to believe a gun had gone off, causing them to yell "gun!" But the town's mayor later tweeted that there was no gun involved, though the sound caused panic.
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Shots were reported fired at the Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but the reports were later refuted, and no shots were fired. Several teenagers fought in the mall's food court, according to CNN.
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Local Pittsburgh CBS station KDKA reports that four minors were arrested after a fight broke out Monday at the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh on Monday. KDKA further reports that some witnesses claimed the mall went on lockdown, but the mall stated that the mall was never closed, though some chaos ensued.
Fort Worth, Texas
Hullen Mall in Fort Worth, Texas was in fact placed on lockdown Monday after around 100 people were involved in several fights that broke out across the mall, according to CNN. Local police broke up the fights, and no injuries or property damage were reported.
