LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors have charged a Missouri man they say caused a panic at a Los Angeles mall last week. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says Tuesday that Nicholas Oates faces charges including burglary, arson and assault with a firearm.
The panic occurred Friday when a man entered a store at Westfield Century City mall, took books from shelves and began to ignite them.
Police say an employee attempted to stop the man but he pulled a handgun, causing the employee to evacuate the store.
People fled the mall, and social media was flooded with erroneous reports of an active shooter. A car left at the mall led police to identify Oates, who was arrested Saturday. It's unclear if the 25-year-old has an attorney.
Arraignment is scheduled for later Tuesday.
(AP)
