Man Arrested After False Active Shooter Report Causes Evacuation at Ellis County Target

A man was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon after a false report of an active shooter at a Target store in Ellis County, Texas. The incident led to a swift evacuation and a heavy police presence at the scene.

The false report was made on Sunday, December 11, 2023, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and emergency services. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrived at the Target located in an undisclosed area of the county.

Customers and employees were instructed to evacuate the store immediately for their safety. Panic ensued as people hurriedly left the premises, unsure of what was happening or if their lives were in danger.

The sheriff’s office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, conducted a thorough search of the Target store to ensure there was no active shooter. After determining that there was no threat, attention turned to identifying and apprehending the person responsible for the false report.

Authorities were able to trace the false report back to a 28-year-old man who was present at the Target at the time of the incident. The man was taken into custody and is facing charges for making a false report, which is a criminal offense.

While the false active shooter report caused panic and disruption, authorities commend the quick response of both law enforcement and the public. They emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious activity or potential threats, but also cautioned against spreading unverified information.

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of false reports, which can result in unnecessary fear, evacuation, and significant drain on law enforcement resources. The authorities are grateful that no one was injured during the evacuation.

As investigations continue, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with additional information about this incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

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A man was arrested after a false report of an active shooter at a Target in Ellis County caused an evacuation and heavy police presence on Sunday afternoon.

— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) December 11, 2023

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