America might be the land of the drive-thru, but one driver stretched that definition to limit by driving through the Woodfield Mall in Shaumburg, Illinois.
Details are limited, but NBC News reports a Chevrolet Trailblazer entered the mall through a pedestrian entrance near a Sears and then drove a considerable distance inside the mall.
Unsurprisingly, this terrified shoppers as several people thought it might have been part of a terrorist attack or mass shooting. This can be seen in videos recorded by eyewitnesses as people can be seen running from stores. Others yelled at the driver to stop, while some cautiously followed the SUV from behind.
#BREAKING: Just arrived at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg after a person drove a black SUV through the shopping center.
Police have every entrance on north side of mall blocked off.
Several people talking with officers, others appear to be getting medical attention.@cbschicago pic.twitter.com/QtWWyXByRm
— Eric Cox (@EriccoxTV) September 20, 2019
It remains unclear why the driver drove into the mall, but the Village of Schaumburg posted a message on Facebook saying that they were taken into custody. Authorities added the mall is in the process of being evacuated and they’re only aware of minor injuries related to the incident.
The FBI has already been called in and the agency’s Chicago field office is “assisting local law enforcement as requested.” However, they stressed that there is no threat to public safety.
https://twitter.com/sarahhahmad/status/1175135193251950594
While the investigation is just getting underway, Fox News spoke to a witness who said the Trailblazer drove over a kiosk and hit a Forever 21. They added the driver eventually exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, but was caught by police.