Chaos erupted at Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre in Perth after reports of gunfire sent shoppers scrambling for safety. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the sound of shots echoed through the busy retail complex.
Eyewitness Accounts: 'People Were Screaming'
"I heard what sounded like three loud bangs - at first I thought it was construction noise," one shaken shopper told reporters. "Then people started running and screaming. Security guards were shouting at everyone to get out."
Massive Police Response
Armed police officers swarmed the Cannington shopping centre within minutes of the incident being reported. Tactical response units established a perimeter while bomb squad vehicles were spotted entering the area.
Authorities have confirmed they are treating this as an active shooter situation, though no casualties have been reported at this time. The shopping centre remains in lockdown as police conduct a thorough sweep of the premises.
Social Media Frenzy
The incident sparked immediate reactions on social media, with terrified shoppers posting videos showing crowds fleeing the centre. Some footage appears to show people sheltering in place in retail stores.
Westfield management has issued a statement confirming they are "working closely with police" and urging the public to avoid the area. Nearby schools have been placed in lockdown as a precautionary measure.
This developing story comes just months after another high-profile incident at a Westfield shopping centre in Sydney, raising fresh concerns about security at major retail complexes.
