ORLANDO, Fla. — Several people were hurt after "chaos" erupted at The Florida Mall when crowds mistook loud bangs from falling chairs for gunshots, firefighters said.
- Chaos erupts at The Florida Mall after loud bangs mistaken for gunshots
- Deputies: Loud bangs were caused by chairs falling over during fight
- Several hurt, sent to hospitals after getting hurt trying to flee "chaos"
Orange County deputies were still trying to "restore order" almost an hour after the incident, which began just after 5 p.m. in the food court of the mall.
Orange County firefighters also responded to the mall and said they had evaluated more than a dozen people for minor injuries and transported several to area hospitals. According to Fire Rrescue, one person was on advanced life support.
Deputies said later in the evening that a total of 18 people were hurt, and eight were taken to hospitals.
Two people were arrested, they said. The two arrested have been identified as Jenny Ochoa, 39, and Anthony Manuel, 55. They were charged with battery and disorderly conduct in a public establishment.
Deputies said the incident was sparked by a fight that broke out between Ochoa and Manuel. A few chairs fell down, and the loud bangs caused by the chairs were mistaken for gunshots in the crowded area.
As people ran in fear, several people were injured. Deputies said at least one of the people had a seizure.
Pam Skawinski said she was caught off guard and a sight she's never seen before: 30 units responding.
"We saw different squad cars coming and people clearing out the mall," she said.
Brad Hage was doing his best to keep his 6-month-old son safe.
"It was complete panic. You don't have time to think. You turn and see 200 people running toward me," Hage said.
He said he's saddened by having to raise a child in a climate in which any loud noise is mistaken for gunshots.
"It's not the kind of world we want to live in," Hage said. "It's unfortunate this is where we are. This is not what I want my son to deal with growing up."