Ottawa police respond to Rideau Centre mall same day it reopens

Ottawa's largest mall has been evacuated and a suspect has been arrested with a possible weapon, on the first day the shopping centre has been open since protests forced stores to shut down late last month.

Police say they responded to Rideau Centre for a shoplifting call.

On Twitter, the police wrote one person has been arrested and there is no outstanding suspect or threat to public safety.

Witnesses reported they were ordered to evacuate the centre, as police told people to avoid the area just before 1 p.m. ``due to an ongoing police operation.''

One witness said parts of the mall went dark, and then someone on the loud speaker said everyone needed to evacuate immediately.

There were multiple police vehicles all around the mall.

At one entrance at least half a dozen police guarded the doors, including one with what appeared to be a type of rifle.