Mall of America testing 'weapons detection system' at entrance

A group of people walk into a mall
The Mall of America is testing metal detectors at one of its entrances following a pair of shooting incidents in the past year shown in this photo from Wednedsay.
Kerem Yucel | MPR News

The Mall of America is testing metal detectors at one of its entrances, following a pair of shooting incidents in the past year.

In a statement, Mall officials called the devices a “weapons detection system” and said they are testing the technology initially at the mall’s north entrance, at the doors that face Lindau Lane.

Officials didn’t offer any further details on the test, but said it may move to different locations around the property over the next month. It said that the technology was only a test for the time being, and one of a variety of security upgrades the mall was considering.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to enhance security using the latest technology,” Mall of America said in a statement. “With Mall of America being such a unique property, it is important to thoroughly evaluate this technology onsite to ensure its accuracy, effectiveness, and efficiency. We are currently in the process of testing a variety of options that may allow us to further enhance our advanced security systems.”

A person walks through a metal detector
The Mall of America is testing metal detectors at one of its entrances following a pair of shooting incidents in the past year shown in this photo from Wednesday.
Kerem Yucel | MPR News

Mall officials declined to take questions on the plan, or to offer a timeline on when mall managers might decide whether to make the detectors permanent.

The testing comes after two people were wounded by gunfire, and one person arrested, following a New Year’s Eve incident.

In August, a fight led to shots fired at a Nike store in the mall. No one was physically injured; five people were charged in that case. Another man was apprehended with a rifle during a robbery at the mall in late August.

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