Sun Valley Mall Locked Down, Man Reportedly Carrying A Weapon

UPDATE: The suspect, who had appeared agitated and talking to himself during the incident, was taken into custody without incident at 4:40 p.m., dropping his bag. It is not currently known if he was armed.

Shoppers were evacuated and heavily armed officers from Concord and Pleasant Hill cordoned off a large quadrant of Sun Valley Mall after a man entered the complex, reportedly armed with a weapon of undetermined type.

Most of the mall’s stores are currently locked down with employees and shoppers evacuated or advised to shelter in place.

The man, reportedly carrying a bag of some type, was spotted near JC Penney’s and police have maneuvered to keep him under observation.

No shots have been fired and we have no clear description of what type of weapon, if any, he has in his possession. We’ll update this story as additional details become available.

The Concord police department posted this account late Wednesday:

At approximately 2:45pm, Concord PD received a call from Sunvalley Shopping Center Security who advised there was a male subject inside the mall, on the upper level near JC Penney, acting strangely and in possession of a small duffle bag.

Security reported the subject mentioned to them that he had a firearm and would use it if approached, although no firearm had been seen. Officers arrived and began evacuating the mall with the assistance of mall security.

Containment of the male subject was established by CPD Officers and Contra Costa County Sheriff Deputies who responded to assist. Officers maintained visual contact of the male subject, who remained stationary. After the mall was cleared of patrons, a drone was used to fly inside the mall in order to establish verbal communication with the male subject. He subsequently surrendered to officers, at approximately 4:45pm, and was taken into custody without incident.

No firearm or other weapon was located. The mall reopened a short time later. The investigation is still ongoing.