LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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 Nicholas Oates pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 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.
The 25-year-old is due back in court April 3 for a preliminary hearing.
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