SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Emergency crews have responded to the Empire Mall Friday night. 

Charges pending for Watertown man after two officers fired shots

Customers in the mall have been told the mall is on lockdown status and have started being evacuated. All entrances to the mall have been closed.

Dan Gies, GM of the Empire Mall, told KELOLAND News there were few details he could share and wasn’t sure when more information would be provided by authorities.

According to the Sioux Falls Police Department call log, an active shooter and weapons violation was listed Friday night. On social media, SFPD said “The Sioux Falls Police Department is working on an incident in the area of the Empire Mall. Please avoid the area until further notice.”

Candace Lydic works at Altar’d State in the Empire Mall and told KELOLAND News she heard “two gunshots.”  

“The mall wasn’t too terribly busy. I heard two gunshots, I grabbed as many people as I could, we ran down a back entrance that then led outside of the mall,” Lydic told KELOLAND News. “We ran across that parking lot and we entered the HyVee Wine and Spirits store where we were able to take shelter.” 

You can see a heavy police presence on the KELOLAND Live Cam on 41st Street.

This is a developing story. Stay with KELOLAND News online and on air for more information.