Miami mall incident
The Miami mall incident was a small riot that occurred at Bayside Marketplace on 2024 New Year's Day. Following the release of firecrackers by a group of teenagers, reports were made to police stating that a mass shooting was in process.[1] A mass panic allegedly emerged, as some witnesses described "shadow beings" or "aliens" that stood eight to ten feet in height, appearing and disappearing.[2]
The incident went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter several days later.[3][4] Miami Police stated that the reputed claims were a case of mass hysteria, intentional disinformation, and misidentification, with the event likely originating from teenagers brawling and setting off firecrackers, which were mistaken for gunshots.[3]
Conspiracy theories, memes, and jokes about the event proliferated online.[5]
Event[edit]
On the evening of January 1, a group of about 50 teenagers began an altercation at Bayside Marketplace.[6][1] Several teenagers also set off firecrackers, causing panic among other mall patrons, who mistook them for gunshots.[7] The sound of fireworks caused some patrons to believe that a mass shooting was occurring.[1]
Four teenagers were arrested following the incident.[1][8]
Reactions[edit]
Footage related to the January 1 brawl began going viral on January 5. Searches such as "Miami Mall" and "Aliens in Miami" trended on Twitter.[6]
The mass police response and eyewitness accounts sparked numerous conspiracy theories about the event that went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter.[5] Others made memes, sarcastic posts, and other jokes about the event, often commenting on the perceived absurdity of aliens or paranormal beings manifesting in Miami, Florida.[5] Some alleged it was planned by "Project Blue Beam", a conspiracy theory about the government having the holographic technology to stage a "false flag alien invasion".[2]
In a statement to NBC News, Miami Police Department public information officer Michael Vega stated in an email that police were on hand because adolescents were refusing to leave the scene. “Some businesses were temporarily closed to allow us to clear the area... There were no aliens. No airports were closed. Nothing is being withheld from the public. LOL.”[5]
Rolling Stone magazine wrote of the incident, "Why this large though unimportant shitshow at a Miami mall would be misrepresented as the beginning of an alien takeover — proof of an inter-dimensional rift or an instance of the government distracting us to advance a secret agenda — is anyone’s guess."[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rosenblatt, Kalhan (2024-01-05). "Aliens at a Miami mall? Police say 'lol'". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Klee, Miles (2024-01-05). "Conspiracy Theorists Convinced 'Shadow Aliens' Are Loose in Miami". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Carbonaro, Giulia (2024-01-05). "Miami mall "creature" video goes viral". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ↑ Pequeño IV, Antonio (2024-01-05). "Rumors Of 10-Foot Alien At Miami Mall Circulate Online—Here's What Actually Happened". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Klee, Miles (2024-01-05). "Conspiracy Theorists Convinced 'Shadow Aliens' Are Loose in Miami". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Geisel, Hunter (2024-01-05). "Rumors of 'shadow aliens' at Bayside Marketplace go viral after large fight among teens creates chaos - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Gabi (2024-01-05). "'No aliens, UFOs, or ETs': Police clear up social media speculation after viral Bayside brawl". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ Maldonado, Mauricio; Quynh, Jacqueline (2024-01-02). "Four arrested after teen fight caused chaos at Bayside Marketplace". CBS Miami. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
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