MILPITAS – A report of a shooting Friday night at the Great Mall in Milpitas drew a heavy police response and caused panic among shoppers, but authorities said they found no one injured and no evidence of a shooting.

The mall was open for business Saturday.

Officers were called to the massive shopping center at 447 Great Mall Drive at about 5:30 p.m. for reports of an altercation involving a knife, according to the Milpitas Police Department.

“Shortly after a shooting was reported inside the Burlington Coat Factory,” police said in a social media post.

In addition to Milpitas police, San Jose police, the CHP, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies, and the Milpitas Fire Department responded to the report.

“Everyone was panicking. Everyone was just trying to get in the back of the store,” shopper Louie Boccaleoni told KGO TV.

A little over two hours after the initial report, officers completed a search of the mall and determined no shooting occurred.

“At this time we have not located nor have any reported victims related to the initial call regarding the knife or shooting,” police said.

Shoppers and store employees who sheltered in place during the incident were escorted out of the mall as officers found them. After the all-clear was given, shoppers and staff who left the mall were escorted back into the mall to retrieve belongings, according to police.

Check back for updates.