SUV Plows Into Chicago Mall, ‘Mass Casualty Response’ Called For By Authorities

An SUV plowed in a Chicago-area mall on Friday afternoon and could be seen driving erratically through the mall by onlookers who captured the terrifying event on camera as law enforcement officials have called for a “mass casualty response.”

“One person is in custody after a car crashed into the Sears at Woodfield Mall in Schuamburg and then drove through the shopping center Friday afternoon,” ABC 7 Chicago reported, adding that “authorities have called for a mass casualty response.”

A video posted to Twitter showed the SUV driving through the mall as shoppers ran for safety.

WATCH:

Another video posted to Twitter by Nicole Doyle shows the outside of the mall where the alleged suspect plowed into the mall.

“The car drove into woodfield through sears right passed my mom!” Doyle tweeted. “Sooo scary!”

Multiple photographs and videos posted to social media appear to show the suspect being arrested by law enforcement officials and being escorted away from the mall.

“A witness, Jason, was ordering ice cream when he saw the car only a few feet away, moving erratically,” CBS News Chicago reported. “He told his wife to get into the nearby Starbucks and he ran to the SUV, which had crashed into a pole. He opened the door and took the keys out of the ignition.”

The Chicago Tribune reported: “Schaumburg police and fire officials were at the scene, as were FBI officials and officials from the Cook County Sheriff’s office, who were assisting local officials.”

“The FBI is aware of the situation at Woodfield Mall and is assisting at the request of local law enforcement,” according to a statement from the Chicago office of the FBI. “There is no known threat to public safety at this time.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reported: “Witness Lateef Farooqui [said] that he was on the second floor when he saw the vehicle driving through the mall ‘like you would a shopping cart.’ He says the SUV drove over a kiosk and then struck another store before the driver jumped out and was captured by police. Village officials said the mall was evacuated and urged the public to avoid the area. The investigation is ongoing. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they are assisting with the response at Woodfield, but would not disclose any other information.”

Witness Lateef Farooqui told CBS 2 that he was on the second floor when he saw the vehicle driving through the mall “like you would a shopping cart.” He says the SUV drove over a kiosk and then struck another store before the driver jumped out and was captured by police.

The Village of Schaumberg tweeted: “@SchaumburgIL Police have reported that one vehicle has driven into one of the entrances at @WoodfieldMall. The subject is in custody. At this time, there is no evidence of an active shooter situation. Please avoid the area if possible.”

Local reporter Eric Cox tweeted: “A man behind the wheel of a black SUV drove through Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Friday afternoon. He drove through Sears & damaged several other stores including Forever 21 & Hollister. Driver in police custody.”

FBI Chicago tweeted: “#FBI Chicago is aware of the incident at Schaumburg Mall and is assisting local law enforcement as requested. There is no threat to public safety.”