GREENWOOD — Greenwood Police are responding to social media chatter about individuals with guns inside the Greenwood Park Mall Saturday.
Greenwood Police Assistant Chief Matthew Fillenwarth tells WRTV that at no point were any weapons displayed and no one was injured.
He says three people were concealed carrying inside the mall Saturday afternoon. At one point, a gun magazine fell out of one person's backpack and it broke into several pieces on the floor.
Fillenwarth says all three people were questioned and it was determined that each person was carrying legally and the guns were not stolen.
The Mall issued one year bans for each of the three people, police said in a Facebook post.
After the Greenwood Park Mall shooting in July, WRTV Investigates took a closer look at no weapons policies in malls and other businesses.
WRTV Investigates found a sign that simply says "no weapons" doesn't deny entry into an establishment even if someone is carrying a gun. Local attorneys say it's also not considered a crime unless that person is told to get off the property.
In some states, violating a no guns allowed sign or similar signage can lead to a criminal penalty, but not in Indiana, according to attorney Kirk Freeman.
"That's not the case. We have never had that statue we have never done things that way," Freeman said.
He said Hoosier establishments must be specific with their signs and policies.
For example, a sign saying "Mall closed: No one past this point," could result in trespassing because it denies entry.
Ignoring a sign, saying no weapons, or masks required, doesn't mean you break the law, he says, because it doesn't say anything about entry.
"If it says,' if you got a pistol on you, you can't enter into our establishment', then that can be deemed enough notice to prosecute under Indiana Criminal Trespass Statute. If you have a sign with a pistol and red slash through it, it doesn't mean anything — unless someone tells you to leave and you don't," Freeman said.
A code of conduct sign can be seen at the Greenwood Park Mall.
It says "no weapons" but according to Freeman, it's just a statement of policy.
-
‘13 FIRES’: One family’s story of resilience amid turmoil along Indiana Avenue
“13 FIRES” by Curtis K. Rogers tells the story of one family's resiliency while living along Indiana Avenue in 1956.
Dominated by No.2 Ohio State for years, No. 5 Indiana has a chance for payback
If Indiana beats Ohio State and closes out the season with a win over Purdue, the Hoosiers will be in the Big Ten championship for the first time since the inception of the game in 2011.
Preparing for the political chatter around the table on Thanksgiving
IU psychology professor Edward Hirt offers insight on navigating through this first big family get-together, since an historic and polarizing election.
No. 16 Indiana remains unbeaten with 69-58 win over UNC Greensboro
Myles Rice scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half, freshman Bryson Tucker finished with a season-high 14 and No. 16 Indiana got past UNC Greensboro 69-58 on Thursday night.
