False Armed Suspect Report Sparks Panic at Lakeside Mall Metairie

A prank call reporting an armed suspect at Lakeside Mall in Metairie, Louisiana, triggered panic among shoppers and prompted a rapid law enforcement response. Deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough search of the mall but found no evidence of a gunman or any victims, confirming the report was a deliberate hoax intended to cause panic. Despite confusion and some shoppers fleeing, the mall was neither evacuated nor placed on lockdown and resumed normal operations following the investigation. Authorities are actively investigating to identify and potentially charge the individual responsible for the false report. Officials emphasized the dangers of prank emergency calls, warning that spreading unverified information during such incidents can cause unnecessary alarm and strain emergency resources. The incident highlights the importance of relying on official sources for accurate updates during crisis situations.