A suspect was taken into custody after authorities say he walked into Gurnee Mills mall while carrying a replica rifle and pointed it at a shopper, before later also being found with a real gun.
The Gurnee Police Department responded on Friday to Gurnee Mills, 6170 West Grand Avenue, for a report of a man with a gun call.
Nick Ghezavat of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said the suspect had gone to the mall with a weapon that resembled an AR-style rifle.
He parked his car at the end of the mall away from the store and walked into the shopping center with the gun.
The suspect began pointing the weapon at the ceiling and walking through the common walkways with the weapon clearly displayed, Ghezavat said.
Ghezavat said a shopper encountered the gunman and put his hands into the air before fleeing for safety.
The suspect walked into Bass Pro Shops and an employee of the mall called 911.
Surveillance video captured the incident and the suspect had been at the mall with the weapon for approximately 10 minutes, Ghezavat said. The weapon had an orange tip and was determined to be an airsoft-style gun.
Investigators found a home in Beach Park linked to the suspect and a search recovered the AR-style BB gun, along with a real 9mm handgun, Ghezavat said.
He does not have a valid concealed carry license or Firearm Owner’s Identification card and is also not an employee of Gurnee Mills.
Charges are pending against the suspect.