A massive response to what was mistakenly believed to be another active shooting incident in Riverside over the weekend should leave weary Californians feeling a bit more reassured today.
The panic began Sunday night when three suspects, armed with hammers, entered the Ben Bridge Jeweler store at the Tyler Mall in Riverside. Shoppers mistook the cause of the breaking glass for gunfire and immediately reported it as an active shooting to authorities.
The ensuing police presence was a sight to behold. Dozens of vehicles belonging to local police, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies, Rialto SWAT members and other surrounding law enforcement agencies descended on the area within minutes. The mall was placed on lockdown and the streets were blocked off. Vehicles belonging to the suspects were found but, as of Monday, the perpetrators had not been apprehended.
Shoppers and residents said they were in sheer terror Sunday, given last week’s events in San Bernardino. But they also expressed a feeling of reassurance at the rapid mobilization of so many police forces.
Riverside City Council Member Mike Gardner concurred.
"The very large public safety response was due to the initial report which proved to be wrong," Gardner said in a Facebook post. "It is reassuring that we can generate that level of response should it be needed. Let us pray we never do need it."
Read more about Sunday’s events here.
Image Credit: Flickr User politicalpulse, https://flic.kr/p/5grxUb via (CC BY-ND 2.0)