Police: Coastal Grand Mall clear, safe after reports of man with gun

Myrtle Beach police responded to Coastal Grand Mall Wednesday evening in reference to a person with a gun, but police say the mall is safe and the suspect left the area.

Police said several calls were received about a person running into the mall with a gun after a car crash on Harrelson Boulevard near the mall, according to Lt. Joey Crosby. Several callers reported a suspect ran from the scene of the accident into the mall, but police have evidence that the suspect is no longer in the mall, Crosby said.

Police searched the mall and cleared the scene, and no shoppers are in danger. This was not an active shooter situation, Crosby said.

“We have located evidence that lead us to believe the individual fled the scene,” Crosby said.

Kaitlyn McLoughlin, of Myrtle Beach, didn’t see the suspect but was walking into the mall when police arrived. She was headed into Bed, Bath and Beyond when she saw the telltale flashing blue lights of a police car.

“I thought it was contained to near the movie theater, but then those cop cars came flying down,” she said.

Catherynn Green, of Gallivants Ferry, didn’t know what happened but thought it would be best to wait for police before heading into the mall.

“We just thought it would be safe to wait until the cops let us in,” she said.

The mall is open and shoppers can enter and exit, though there's still police presence in case the suspect returns, Crosby said.

The investigation is ongoing, Crosby said.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Police: Coastal Grand Mall clear, safe after reports of man with gun."