BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.

BUFORD — It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.

Gwinnett Police received a call at about 1 p.m. about an unknown person calling the Mall of Georgia and saying that multiple explosive devices had been placed inside the mall. 

The unknown person indicated that they were set to detonate in three hours. Units from Gwinnett Police, Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office, and Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services quickly responded. 

Officers and Deputies teamed up and began searching the mall and outer area. 

Police K9 units were deployed to search as well and Air1 scouted the exterior from above. 

Detectives responded to the scene to assist with the criminal investigation into the threat.  Mall management elected to keep the mall open during the investigation and search.

The Mall of Georgia was thoroughly searched and no devices were found in the search that ended just before 4 p.m. Detectives will follow up with the investigation over the coming days.

  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
  • BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.

Police are asking anyone who has any information to share in this case to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. 

To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. The case number is  19-072257.


BUFORD -- It was a harrowing few hours for shoppers at Mall of Georgia Wednesday afternoon, as police officers, cruisers and helicopters swarmed the area surrounding the mall.
Thom Chandler
Website

Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.