**๐ฅ BREAKING: FACT CHECK โ San Diego Mall Shooting Claims Debunked** ๐จ
๐ฅ BREAKING: FACT CHECK โ San Diego Mall Shooting Claims Debunked ๐จ
CLAIM: Posts circulating on X and Facebook allege that a mass shooting at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego on the evening of February 15, 2025, left 14 people injured and multiple suspects at large.
VERDICT: โ๏ธ FALSE / MISLEADING
Hereโs whatโs really happening:
No shooting occurred. San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed that the incident was a loud noise disturbance โ likely a firecracker or car backfire โ not gunfire. No victims, no shell casings, no weapons found.
Viral video mismatch: A widely shared grainy video clip is actually from a 2023 incident at a different California mall (Westfield Culver City) and is being repurposed to stir panic.
Source of the rumor: The false claim originated from a satirical account (@LocalNewsNow) that labels itself “parody” in its bio โ but the disclaimer is cropped out in reshared screenshots.
Official statement: SDPD issued an alert at 7:43 PM PT: “Reports of an active shooter at Fashion Valley Mall are unfounded. No injuries. Scene is secure.”
Bottom line: Always verify before sharing. This is a classic case of recycled crisis imagery + misattributed audio designed to exploit fear. Stay safe, stay sane. โ