EDMONTON ( Rajeev Sharma): A reported weapons complaint triggered a sudden lockdown at West Edmonton Mall on Wednesday afternoon (January 29, 2026), forcing shoppers and employees to barricade inside stores and restaurants while heavily armed police conducted a security sweep of the massive complex.
Edmonton police rushed to the scene after receiving reports that a person may have been in possession of a weapon inside the mall. Authorities immediately activated emergency protocols, ordering the public to shelter in place as officers moved through corridors and common areas to locate the suspect and assess the threat.
Witnesses described a tense atmosphere as security gates were pulled down and customers were directed into back rooms and food outlets. Many shoppers reported confusion and fear as alarms and emergency announcements echoed through the mall.
The lockdown was lifted shortly after 1:15 p.m., when police confirmed there was no further danger to the public. No injuries were reported, and no shots were fired during the incident.
Police have not disclosed whether a weapon was recovered or if any arrests were made, saying only that the investigation into the complaint is ongoing. Authorities emphasized that the response was precautionary but necessary given the seriousness of the report and the high volume of people inside the mall at the time.
Operations at West Edmonton Mall gradually returned to normal following the all-clear, though the incident caused significant disruption at one of Canada’s busiest shopping destinations.
The scare comes amid heightened concern over public safety in large commercial spaces, with police reiterating that members of the public should immediately report suspicious behavior and follow emergency instructions during active investigations.
