TOPEKA, Kan. — A fistfight between two teenagers inside West Ridge Mall triggered a full lockdown Monday evening, frightening shoppers during an already tense season of rising violence across the city. The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on the second floor of the mall, near the coffee shop directly above Santa Claus.
According to Mrs. Claus, who witnessed the altercation from Santa’s setup downstairs, the fight appeared serious enough that “two older couples were hiding behind a pole, frightened.” She told This Is Topeka that she immediately alerted mall security. The fight then moved toward the exit doors.
During the fight, one of the teens reportedly while running to the parking lot, shouted that they were going to retrieve a gun. That statement—combined with recent shootings across Topeka—set off widespread alarm among patrons and mall workers.
TPD Locks Down the Mall
Topeka Police responded within minutes. Officers surrounded the building, stationed units at each exit, and barred any additional shoppers from entering. Those inside the mall were temporarily unable to leave as officers vetted people exiting the premises. Sky Zone, located within the mall, also went into lockdown.
Initial rumors online suggested an active shooter inside Sky Zone, but officers on-scene told This Is Topeka that those reports were false. The incident, they confirmed, involved two teens who began fighting inside the mall before the dispute spilled outside.
While police worked to locate the teen who allegedly threatened to get a gun, officers treated the situation as a credible and serious threat—described by multiple officers as a precaution rooted in recent citywide violence. As of this report, no arrests have been made.
A hit-and-run crash was reported around the same time near Wanamaker, though authorities have not said whether it is connected.
Stores React Differently Amid Lockdown
The lockdown produced a patchwork of responses among retailers. Francesca’s closed immediately with its lone visable employee behind glass wearing a robe and pacing throughout the store in the dark. Kay Jewelers, however, stayed open, continuing to clean rings and assist customers as though nothing unusual were happening. One employee even sat barefoot, calmly knitting between customers.
Mall staff went store to store once the lockdown was lifted to notify retailers, though some businesses opted to remain closed for the evening. TPD confirmed that the mall would close several hours early and that no one would be allowed back in after exiting.
Confusion About Where the Fight Started
Mall personnel later told This Is Topeka that the altercation did not occur inside the mall but rather in the parking lot. That account conflicted with multiple eyewitnesses—including Mrs. Claus—and statements from TPD, all of whom confirmed the initial fight occurred on the second floor.
Mall staff attributed the security response to an “abundance of caution.” One staff member added a candid summary: “This is Topeka.”
Lingering Concerns for Shoppers During the Holidays
The heightened law enforcement presence comes at a time when violence across the city has already begun affecting shopping corridors, now including Wanamaker. Several shoppers told This Is Topeka the repeated lockdowns, threats, and disturbances are impacting their willingness to visit the the shopping corridor during the holiday season.
Despite the disruption, both TPD and mall personnel acted quickly and decisively in response to the perceived threat, ensuring control of exits and securing the area until the risk was assessed.
As of Tuesday morning, no suspects have been publicly identified, and the teen who allegedly threatened to retrieve a firearm has not been located.
