A potential threat to Virginia shopping malls has been linked to ISIS by multiple law enforcement and intelligence sources, ABC 7 New York reported Saturday.
Authorities were still investigating the credibility of the threat Saturday morning.
While a Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson said the bureau had no comment on the matter, they added that it “takes all potential threats to public safety seriously and we take all appropriate steps to determine the credibility of any information we receive.”
According to ABC 7, multiple Northern Virginia police departments said there would be increased security at malls in the state in light of the threat.
Arlington County police issued a statement about the potential threat Friday.
“The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is aware of information circulating regarding a non-specific, unconfirmed threat to shopping centers,” said the statement.
Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department said at a press conference Friday that intelligence indicates “potential public safety impacts to malls and shopping centers across the region.”
“We're taking it seriously,” Davis said. “We're simply being proactive.”
He did not provide details on what the threat was. However, he urged the public to be vigilant.
“It's information we're acting on by establishing a greater presence where people gather,” Davis said. “We're taking the appropriate responsible actions to ensure that the community knows that we take all information about their safety seriously.”
The Alexandria, Va., police Department, Loudon County Sheriff's Office and Prince William County Sheriff's Office, offered similar warnings, said ABC 7.
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