West Oaks Mall evacuated following juvenile disturbance

OCOEE – Visitors to West Oaks Mall in Ocoee were ordered to evacuate following reports of a disturbance Saturday night.

Large groups of teenagers were seen walking away from the mall eastbound on West Colonial Drive to nearby businesses. Law-enforcement officers from the Ocoee Police Department, Windermere Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office were called to assist with the evacuation.

Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Steve McCosker said the mall and theater were shut down early due to disruptive juveniles, and AMC called for police assistance to help clear everyone out. McCosker did not explain what the juveniles did to cause a disruption and did not confirm if the disruption was violent in nature.

"The only information I have is AMC and West Oaks decided to close early," McCosker said. "(I) cant speak to what they observed to decide that."

However, Nikki Fosnaugh, a manager at J.C. Penney who was working Saturday night, said a fight broke out outside the AMC theater. Fosnaugh's mother and her kids were among those told to leave the theater, she added.

"Movie theater," Fosnaugh said when asked where the fight happened. "My kids were actually there with my mom trying to see the 9:30 Incredibles 2 movie, and she called me warning me. They left seeing it all."

McCosker said no arrests have yet been made, and no shots were fired during the incident. McCosker could not confirm exactly where the incident took place nor when law enforcement received calls from the mall for assistance.

"No arrest (and) no shots fired," McCosker said when asked about social-media rumors of a shootout. "And all I am saying is AMC decided to close early. Law enforcement assisted in making sure that happens. Due to the number of unescorted juveniles, police also ensured they did not disrupt any local businesses. [...] I am sure it was just an abundance of caution."