Fights and a shooting close down Northland Mall Saturday night

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) - Several fights broke out at Northland Mall and gunshots were fired in the parking lot as police arrested at least one teenager Saturday night.

The mall was hosting a Coats for Kids drive that was being put on by radio station WJLB 98FM but the fights shutdown the event - and the mall - early.

 “People were getting pushed, and they had to keep telling people to stop pushing, and then there was fighting,” said Chevelle Potts, who witnessed the mayhem.

There were hundreds of people inside the mall to see several singers like Diggy Simmons and Bow Wow who were set to perform for the fundraiser, but the fighting broke out before they even took the stage.

“It was a lack of security, and we had to bring in the Southfield police,” said Potts.

The atmosphere quickly became dangerous as witnesses say several people were trampled, including kids.

“As soon as I walked into the mall, people were running out,” said John Cromer.  Cromer is the Executive Director at Tower Center Marketplace and was bringing in coats and donations when the mall turned into mayhem.

“A little girl screamed and people were pushing and shoving each other,” said Cromer.  “Parents need to know where there kids are and what’s happening and why they are going to the mall,” he said.

Police arrested a 16-year-old after finding a gun on him. 

Northland Mall released a statement that did not mention the fights or gunfire, but said that they had an incident with their storm and sanitation pumps, so the WJLB/Salvation Army Cots for Kids event ended early.  The mall was scheduled to re-open Sunday at Noon.

Michael Isabella, the Director for Marketing for WJLB told 7 Action News that the fights were not related to their broadcast, that they happened around the corner, away from the event, but decided to end the broadcast because of the fights.  They discussed continuing the event at another venue in Southfield and decided against it, but that they will continue to take donations over the phone. If you would like to donate you can call them at: 1-877-853-8570.

So far the Coats for Kids/Salvation Army event has raised $52,677 dollars.