Reports of a possible shooting at Willowbrook Mall prompted scenes of panic among shoppers on Tuesday, just days before New Year’s Eve, as police rushed to the scene and the mall was evacuated.
Local media reported that the shopping centre was briefly placed under lockdown amid unconfirmed reports of shots being fired. At the time, authorities had not confirmed an active shooter or any injuries.
Social Media Reports Spark Confusion
Posts circulating on social media suggested gunfire inside the mall, though no immediate confirmation was provided by police or mall officials.
One user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that shots had been fired near Bloomingdale’s at Willowbrook Mall, while others posted about seeing police vehicles rushing to the area.
Something going down at Willowbrook tonight in Wayne. More police than I’ve ever seen, blocking the entrances. pic.twitter.com/BzDfbnqjX9
— Alex Lombardo (@AlexPLombardo) December 31, 2025
Officials urged the public to rely on verified information as unconfirmed claims continued to spread online.
Heavy Police Response and Evacuation
Police in Wayne responded Tuesday night to reports of shots fired, deploying numerous officers to the mall, which is located near Routes 23 and 46 and Interstate 80.
Wayne Police are currently investigating an incident at Willowbrook Mall that involved the reports of shots fired. Numerous officers are on-scene and the situation is stable. We ask that everyone avoid Willowbrook Mall at this time.
— Wayne Police Department (@WaynePoliceNJ) December 31, 2025
Authorities asked the public to avoid the area while officers investigated. The Wayne Police Department later said the situation was stable and that no injuries had been confirmed.
Scanner traffic referenced a possible incident near the Bloomingdale’s food court, but police said those reports had not been substantiated.
Transit Disruptions Reported
The New Jersey Transit issued an alert warning that bus services to and from Willowbrook Mall could face delays of up to 15 minutes due to police activity.
NJ TRANSIT bus service traveling to and from the Willowbrook Mall is subject to up to 15-minute delays due to police activity at the mall.
— North Jersey Buses (@NJTRANSIT_NBUS) December 31, 2025
Transit officials said service disruptions would continue until the situation was fully resolved.
Details Remain Unclear
As of the latest update, officials had not released information confirming a shooting, suspects, or arrests. Unverified reports suggesting multiple people were taken into custody were not confirmed by police.
Willowbrook Mall is a major regional shopping centre in Passaic County with more than 160 retail and dining outlets and serves the wider New York metropolitan area.
Police said officers remain on scene and the investigation is ongoing.
