Gunfire at Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa Sparks Panic and Police Investigation, No Injuries Reported
TULSA, Okla. — Panic and confusion swept through one of Tulsa’s busiest shopping centers on Wednesday evening as reports of gunfire at Woodland Hills Mall triggered a large-scale police response, temporarily putting the mall on lockdown and sending hundreds of shoppers scrambling for safety.
The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) confirmed that officers were dispatched to the scene shortly after 6:30 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired inside the mall. Woodland Hills, a popular commercial hub especially crowded during the midweek evening hours, quickly became the focus of a tense and evolving situation as law enforcement swarmed the area.
According to preliminary statements from Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, officers were able to swiftly secure the premises and conduct a thorough sweep of the building. After evacuating shoppers and employees and reviewing surveillance footage, authorities confirmed that shots were indeed fired—but, remarkably, no one was injured.
“Thankfully, we are not currently aware of any victims,” Chief Franklin said at a press briefing. “What we can confirm is that a firearm was discharged inside the mall, and we are actively working to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this reckless act.”
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene in the minutes after the shots rang out. Some shoppers ducked behind counters or barricaded themselves in store backrooms, while others rushed toward exits as mall security and store employees attempted to usher people to safety.
“I was in line at the food court when we heard this loud popping noise,” said Brianna Caldwell, a college student who was at the mall with friends. “People started running and screaming. It was terrifying. We didn’t know if someone had a gun or if it was a prank.”
The mall was temporarily locked down while officers methodically cleared each section. Shoppers and staff who had been sheltering in place were escorted out of the building once it was deemed safe. TPD’s K9 units and crime scene investigators were deployed to aid in the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.
While police have not yet made any arrests, investigators are working with witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from the interior and exterior of the mall. Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to come forward with information that could help identify the shooter.
The incident has reignited conversations about public safety in community spaces, particularly shopping malls, which are often viewed as gathering places for families, teens, and tourists. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a statement following the incident, expressing gratitude that no one was physically harmed and praising first responders for their swift action.
“I am grateful to the Tulsa Police Department and mall security teams for their fast and courageous response tonight,” Bynum said. “But this incident is also a reminder that we must remain vigilant in addressing gun violence and ensuring our public spaces are safe for all.”
Woodland Hills Mall, which is managed by Simon Property Group, remained closed for the remainder of the evening as police completed their investigation. Mall officials have pledged to cooperate fully with law enforcement and are reviewing their own safety procedures in light of the incident.
The Tulsa Police Department has asked that anyone with video footage, photos, or first-hand accounts of the shooting contact the non-emergency line or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
For now, the community remains on edge, but grateful that what could have been a tragic event ended without injury. As residents reflect on the harrowing experience, calls for increased security and proactive measures are growing louder.
More information will be released as the investigation develops.