Police swarm South Plains Mall after reports of armed suspects
A large police presence descended on South Plains Mall at 6002 Slide Road in Lubbock on Aug. 15 after reports of a shooting and an alleged armed robbery, according to social-media posts, scanner feeds and videos shared online. The Lubbock Police Department had not issued an official statement as of the latest reports.
Multiple videos and photographs posted to local pages showed officers converging on the mall and customers leaving the property. Posts on neighborhood pages and a law-enforcement scanner page said officers were searching for two armed suspects; that information has not been independently verified.
- Location: South Plains Mall, 6002 Slide Road
- Date: Aug. 15 (Saturday)
- Reported incidents: shooting, armed robbery at Dillard’s (per social posts)
One scanner post circulating online described two males reportedly sought by police: “South plains Mall—PD is looking for 2 black males. One is wearing all black and the other is wearing a cream jacket with a purple back pack. Both males are armed. Not sure what originally happened. DPS chopper is out.” The scanner account said officers reviewed video footage and believed both males had left the mall; subsequent social-media posts said one suspect was Black and the other Hispanic.
“Chris and me were [at] the mall when all this was happening. We had no idea what was going on but there was armed cops everywhere!”
That comment reflects several eyewitness posts shared by local users who described a chaotic scene and heavy law-enforcement activity. Other social posts alleged the suspects flashed a gun while running from the mall near a pretzel stand and suggested one handgun had a switch; those details were also unverified in the available reporting.
Another widely shared post on a local page claimed two men committed an armed robbery inside Dillard’s. The same page later reiterated that two males allegedly carried out the robbery. Multiple commentators reported leaving the mall in response to the situation; one user wrote, “Yup thats why we are leaving.”
Media outlets and social accounts also posted video and photos showing multiple marked and unmarked law-enforcement vehicles and what some users described as federal agents near the mall. At least one scanner post referenced a Department of Public Safety helicopter in the area.
What officials have said
The Lubbock Police Department had not provided an official comment or confirmed a shooting, the alleged robbery or whether any suspects had been detained as of the time these items were shared publicly. Posts and scanner feeds provided the bulk of available information; several assertions were qualified in the original posts as unverified.
| Reported item | Source | Verification status |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting reported at South Plains Mall | Local social posts, videos | Unverified by LPD |
| Armed robbery at Dillard’s | Local page posts | Unverified |
| Two armed suspects fled mall | Scanner feed | Unverified |
Because the Lubbock Police Department has not confirmed details publicly, residents and visitors should regard social-media accounts and scanner summaries as preliminary information. Investigative steps typically include reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses and coordinating with state and federal partners when multiple jurisdictions or alleged weapons are involved.
South Plains Mall is one of Lubbock’s primary retail centers, drawing shoppers from across the city and surrounding counties. Incidents that prompt large police responses disrupt business operations and raise safety concerns for shoppers and employees during and after an event.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor the situation and update the community when officials from the Lubbock Police Department or other authorities provide verified information about the incident, suspects, or any arrests made.
