Edmonton, AB — West Edmonton Mall was placed under a temporary lockdown this afternoon after police responded to a report of a potential weapons threat inside the popular shopping and entertainment complex.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) confirmed that the incident occurred near the Bourbon Street area, prompting mall staff and shoppers to follow emergency protocols. Visitors were directed to take shelter in nearby stores and restaurants while officers secured the scene and investigated the situation.
Witnesses reported hearing announcements over the mall’s intercom urging everyone to remain calm and comply with safety instructions. Police asked the public to avoid the area and reminded them not to interfere with officers or record the response.
By mid-afternoon, authorities lifted the lockdown after determining that there was no ongoing threat, allowing mall operations to return to normal. Officers remained on site as a precaution, and no information has been released regarding injuries or arrests.
This is the second security-related lockdown at West Edmonton Mall this week, following an earlier police response to another weapons complaint in the same area. Officials stressed that all reports involving potential firearms—whether real or replicas—are treated with full seriousness to ensure public safety.