Stonestown Galleria Evacuated After Threats, Reopens Following Police Investigation

Shoppers and employees were cleared out of Stonestown Galleria near San Francisco State University on Wednesday morning after police received reports of an unidentified person making threats at the Buckingham Way and Winston Drive mall, triggering one of the city's most visible emergency responses in the Lakeshore neighborhood in recent memory.

Officers arrived at about 11:40 a.m. to investigate reports of a person making threats. Officers worked with the property manager to investigate the reported threats and conducted a search of the area. SFPD spokesperson Allison Maxie confirmed the scope of the deployment: bomb squad, police dogs, and an SFPD tactical team were all called to the scene as officers moved to determine whether the threat was credible.

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management sent a public alert directing people to stay away from the property. "Avoid the area of Stonestown Galleria - 3251 20th Ave due to Police Activity. Emergency crews are on scene," the alert read, adding that residents should "expect traffic delays, consider alternate routes, and allow for additional travel time."

Authorities have not said how the threat was made or whether it came from someone at the mall or was phoned in. SFIST reported the emergency was sparked by a possible armed person, though that characterization was not confirmed by other outlets or by SFPD. Some reports claimed it was a shooting incident, but there was no confirmation of shots being fired. No injuries were reported.

By 3 p.m., city officials said the incident was resolved and that emergency crews cleared the scene. The mall reopened mid-afternoon after authorities completed their sweep. The lockdown had lasted roughly three hours from the time police first responded.

The disruption rippled beyond the mall's entrances. Muni rerouted bus lines 18, 29, 57, and 58 due to the police activity, with motorists warned to expect residual traffic delays.

No arrests were reported, and police have not released further details about the identity of the person who allegedly made the threats or whether charges are expected.