A tragic shooting at Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey, has left the community shaken and in mourning after a reported 16-year-old boy was killed Saturday evening. The mall was placed under immediate lockdown as panicked crowds ran for safety around 8:00 PM.
Eyewitness accounts and social media posts erupted moments after gunshots were heard. A New Jersey resident sounded the alarm online, writing:
“If your kid is at Menlo Mall, go get them now — it was a shooting!!”
Another bystander posted a harrowing description of the chaos:
“I just watched the Edison Police Department slam a little Black boy on the ground, put their knee in the back of his neck. He was a young teenager around 16. Then they were waving guns telling everyone to get out of the mall. There’s like over 2000 teenagers here today for Mall Day.”
The massive police presence was quickly mobilized as crowds, including families and teens, scrambled out of the shopping center. Multiple law enforcement units, including the Edison Police Department and New Jersey State Police, responded to the emergency.
One Reddit user, who was inside the food court at the time of the incident, shared their terrifying experience:
“We were having dinner when people started screaming and running. The whole of NJ police was suddenly there. People, including us, were scared out of our minds. We just ran out.”
While authorities have not officially confirmed the identity of the victim, reports indicate a teenage boy lost his life during the incident. It is not yet clear if the teen was the intended target or a bystander caught in the chaos.
As of now, no arrests have been confirmed, and the mall remains closed for investigation. Police have urged the public to avoid the area while they continue to secure the scene and gather details.
Menlo Park Mall, located at 55 Parsonage Rd, is one of the busiest shopping centers in central New Jersey. Saturday evenings, especially during community gatherings like “Mall Day,” often draw large crowds of young people.
The tragic event has sparked outrage, grief, and deep concern among parents and residents. Calls for transparency from local authorities are growing as disturbing reports of aggressive police behavior also emerge.
“What would’ve been a fun night for our kids turned into a nightmare,” one local parent shared.
The Edison Police Department has not yet released an official statement, but a press briefing is expected soon. Witnesses with information or footage have been encouraged to come forward