FLORIDA — An 18-year-old man was arrested Saturday after displaying a firearm at Town Center at Boca Raton, sparking panic among shoppers and workers during the busy holiday season.
Police and fire rescue responded around 2:30 p.m. to reports of a fight and possible gunshots in the mall’s food court, spokeswoman Jessica Desire said. Officers on the scene approached Santos Figueroa Alvarenga, who said he had witnessed a fight between three unknown men who then approached him aggressively.
Alvarenga told police he feared for his safety and lifted his shirt to show a firearm in his waistband. Mall personnel intervened, and the three other men fled. He did not remove or discharge the weapon. Surveillance video showed no evidence that any shots were fired.
Alvarenga was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon under the age of 21. He was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail at 7:46 p.m. and released on a $5,000 surety bond early Sunday morning.
The upscale mall was crowded with holiday shoppers when the incident occurred. Authorities noted the mall has experienced similar panic in the past, including a 2019 scare that was caused by a popped balloon.
