INCIDENT AT BOCA RATON OWN CENTER SHOPPING CENTER

WATCH THE VIDEO THAT MAY HAVE LED TO THE LOCKDOWN.

LIVE STREAMING OF PLAYERS FROM A SHOPPING MALL APPARENTLY LEADS TO CONFINEMENT AND FEAR OF ACTIVE SHOOTERS.

BOCA RATON POLICE’S RELEASE OF DUBIOUS INFORMATION IS CAUSING FEAR. ARE THE COPS CONFUSION? IS IT A BOMB? A SHOOTER? A PLAYER? DO THE COPS HAVE ANY IDEA?

BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor & Publisher

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — (7:29 p.m.) Fans of a player who live-streamed his shopping trip to the Boca Raton Town Center Mall on Saturday apparently wanted to keep him at the mall, posing a threat to the Boca Raton Police Department. The threat, involving bombs and guns in a vehicle in the parking lot, led to a lockdown and a massive police response. Shoppers were pushed into closets and storage rooms as police tried to figure out what was happening. As of 7:29 p.m. Saturday, the Boca Raton Police Department had yet to release a definitive statement on what happened just hours earlier.

But BocaNewsNow.com, relying on sources and witnesses, has put together what we believe to be the accurate account of events. It’s unclear why the Boca Raton Police Department is saying so little about the incident that left patrons panicked and fearing for their lives.

Around 4:30 p.m., a group of fans of a teenager who goes by the name “Clix” on the streaming site TWITCH found Clix just outside the mall. Clix had been livestreaming a shopping spree where he and a female companion are seen looking at shoes, clothes, and other items. Clix is ​​filmed by a young teenager as a group of children come out of the mall and surround Clix, wanting to chat with him. Clix complies. One of the fans is apparently heard saying something about “SWATTING” the mall in an attempt to keep Clix in the mall during a “lockdown.” The fans leave. Clix is ​​seen and heard telling the camera that he thinks these fans are weird and that he can’t believe someone would “SWAT” the mall. A few minutes later, police are on the scene and the mall is closed. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO.

Clix is ​​later seen being placed in a police car for questioning. Police said he was “helpful”.

It is incredible that three hours after the incident began, the Boca Raton Police Department has not released any new information or verified what we reported above. Here is the “tick-tock,” or timeline of the information reported by BocaNewsNow.com.

UPDATE: 7:30 p.m. — The mall remains closed. Customers can pick up their cars, police said.

UPDATE: 7:20 p.m. — The Boca Raton Police Department just posted on X what we reported over an hour ago: it appears to be a SWATTING call. Police have yet to acknowledge the video of what appears to be the genesis of the call that BocaNewsNow.com has posted below.

UPDATE: 6:56 p.m. — We haven’t heard anything new from the Boca Police Department, but we’re glad the Sun Sentinel finally took the time to cover this story. Well done, Sun Sentinel! Readers should definitely pay for your product.

UPDATE 6:16 p.m. — We now have the TWITCH video where it appears a child admits to hitting the mall in an incident involving player “Clix” who discusses the SWATTING incident as it begins. Check out the video:

UPDATE: 5:59 p.m. — Sources tell BocaNewsNow.com that someone watching the Fortnite “Clix” live stream from the mall said something like “let’s SWAT the mall” during the live stream.

UPDATE: 5:46 p.m. — There seems to be a huge confusion at the scene. While people appear to be allowed to leave, Boca PD posted this on X moments ago: “Officers continue to investigate. A caller reported having weapons and bombs in a vehicle described on the north side of the mall. Officers quickly located the vehicle and created a perimeter. At this time, the bomb squad is on scene and Boca Raton PD continues to investigate.”

UPDATE: 5:42 p.m. — Several people who were “held” inside the mall as part of the lockdown have now told BocaNewsNow.com that they are being allowed to leave. There is still no official update from the Boca Raton Police Department.

UPDATE: 5:27 p.m. — The player identified as “Clix” is being helpful, according to police, and is NOT in custody. It is not yet clear how his streaming of a game while in the mall led to a lockdown and SWAT response.

UPDATE 5:14 p.m. — A gamer identified by BocaNewsNow.com readers as “Clix” was at the mall streaming “Fortnight.” Somehow, that led to a threat or the belief that a threat was made at the mall. According to readers who provided video and images to BocaNewsNow.com, he is being questioned by Boca Raton police who have yet to provide details.

UPDATED AT 5:10 PM — Sources tell BocaNewsNow.com that it all started when a famous gamer — who we can’t identify at this time — was playing “Fortnight” and somehow threatened the mall, or made a threat against the mall, while thousands of people were watching his stream. We don’t know why Boca Police haven’t shared this information at this point.

UPDATED at 5:04 p.m.: The Boca Raton Police Department continues to remain tight-lipped about the incident at the Boca Raton Town Center mall. A police spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for information and instead waited several minutes to issue a general statement on Facebook, then X. According to sources on the scene, someone called threatening the mall or police, claiming a shooter was in the mall or parking lot. That led to an evacuation of the mall, though many people tell BocaNewsNow.com they are being “held back” for safety reasons in back rooms and other areas of the mall’s stores. It’s unclear why Boca police are responding so slowly to requests for information. If you are on scene and have details, text BocaNewsNow.com at 561-576-6397.

UPDATE: Boca Raton Police have inexplicably decided to post information on Facebook, but have ignored media requests for details. Apparently, someone called to threaten the mall. “Boca Raton Police are investigating a threat made by a caller from the North Parking Lot of Boca Raton Town Center. PLEASE LEAVE THE AREA via the South Side of the property while the threat continues to be investigated.”

UPDATE: Boca Raton police said at 4:48 p.m. they will release information shortly.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — We are aware of an incident that occurred at the Boca Raton Town Center Mall at 4:42 p.m. Saturday. Multiple readers on the scene are reporting a lockdown, possibly due to a “shooter” in the parking lot. This information is UNCONFIRMED, but is being shared by BocaNewsNow.com readers on the scene.

The Boca Raton Police Department has NOT responded to requests for information. We will update you as soon as we know more. IF you are at the mall and need information, please text 561-576-6397. That’s 561-576-NEWS.