shooting yorkdale

Chaos as crowds seen running after fireworks go off at busy Toronto mall

Shoppers at Yorkdale Mall had a frightening experience this past weekend after crowds of people mistook the sound of firecrackers for gunshots. 

Several clips from multiple angles within the mall were uploaded on social media over the weekend, showing dozens of shoppers running through the shopping centre just before closing. 

Toronto police confirmed to blogTO that officers attended the scene following reports of sounds of gunshots at approximately 8:41 p.m. 

According to police, on-scene officers determined that there was no firearm involved, and noted that "possibly fireworks" were involved instead. 

A Yorkdale spokesperson told blogTO that the commotion was the result of a firecracker that was set off outside the North entrance of the mall on Saturday evening. 

"Yorkdale security used surveillance footage to confirm that the noise was intentionally caused by a firecracker," the spokesperson said. 

Police were immediately notified, and are using the footage provided to identify the involved parties. 

Just last week, shoppers at Yorkdale experienced another scare when an explosion was heard outside the mall around 7:30 p.m. 

The incident occurred in a parking lot outside of the shopping centre on Wednesday, and involved a mechanical issue with a vehicle. 

Lead photo by

Supplied to blogTO


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

You can take in breathtaking valley views along the Vista Rouge Trail in Toronto

Downsview Park in Toronto is a massive urban park around an artificial lake

Canada is seeing one of the worst standard-of-living declines in 40 years

Tributes pour in after death of Toronto City Councillor Jaye Robinson

It's going to get way easier to pay transit fare in Toronto with your phone

TTC literally just gave CEO Rick Leary an award days after chaotic subway shutdown

An aggressively spreading invasive species is completely taking over a Toronto park

50 tourist attractions in downtown Toronto you need to visit at least once