News of a possible active shooter incident at a TJ Maxx store in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, spread quickly on social media Friday, sparking public concern and calls for prayer. At the time of publication, police and mall authorities have not confirmed the claims, so the situation remains unclear.
Social media posts set off alarm bells
Several users on X (formerly Twitter) claimed to have heard gunfire inside a TJ Maxx mall in Rocky Mount. One post described family members sheltering inside the store during what was allegedly an ongoing emergency.
“My mom and my sisters entire family are barricaded in a TJ MAXX closet in Rocky Mount, NC. A gunman is shooting! PRAY FOR THEM!!”
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Another message called for a quick and safe solution:
“Please protect the innocent people barricaded inside the TJ Maxx in Rocky Mount, NC. Please end this situation as quickly as possible without any innocent victims. In Jesus name we pray,”
The posts were widely shared, fueling concern among local residents and online observers.
No official confirmation yet on TJ Maxx ‘Active shooter’
As of this writing, neither the Rocky Mount Police Department nor mall management have released a public statement confirming the shooting or detailing any response. Authorities have not reported any injuries, arrests or weapons recovered.
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Located at 1480 Jeffreys Road, the store is a well-known clothing, accessories and home goods retailer and is usually busy during the day.
A separate mall lockdown is causing confusion elsewhere
Earlier Friday (Dec. 26), WDAM 7 reported that Turtle Creek Mall was closed amid a heavy police presence. The incident happened in Hattiesburg, but officials later said there was no evidence of shots fired.
The city’s public information officer, John Arender, said police found no shell casings and no victims.
Political background in Rocky Mount
The uncertainty comes weeks after US President Donald Trump addressed a rally in Rocky Mount where he focused on economic news.
“We’re fixing four years of disaster and decay,” Trump said. “We were a dead country and now we’re talking about the golden age of America – think about that, 10 months from now,” he added.
TJ Maxx owner outperforms, signaling more thrifty US shoppers
On Nov. 19, TJX Cos. posted last-quarter sales that beat estimates and raised its outlook, signaling that U.S. shoppers are turning to cheaper options as the economy shows signs of stress.
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The discounter, which operates chains including TJ Maxx and Marshalls, said sales reached $15.1 billion. Analysts on average had expected about $14.9 billion. Its comparable sales also beat estimates, Bloomberg reported.
TJX raised its outlook for comparable sales this year to a 4% gain, up 1 percentage point from its August forecast. It also boosted its earnings outlook.
Last quarter’s results are “exceptional, especially as they build on a very long period of success,” Neil Saunders, chief executive of GlobalData, said in a note to clients. TJX’s performance is supported by consumer pressure, but the retailer also continues to offer an impressive assortment, he said.
