Terrifying reason crime-plagued Moreno Valley mall was partially shut down

A Southern California mall long dogged by gunfire scares, teen mob fights and a fatal shooting was forced to partially shut down Thursday as fire inspectors declared portions of the complex unsafe over “unresolved, life-threatening fire code violations.”

The 1.1-million-square-foot Moreno Valley Mall was red-tagged by city officials after authorities said the property owner failed to correct serious safety hazards that could endanger shoppers in the event of a fire.

Most of the mall’s interior — including common areas and inline stores — was ordered closed after being deemed unsafe.

4 Moreno Valley Mall was partially shut down after fire inspectors flagged “unresolved, life-threatening fire code violations” that officials said posed a risk to shoppers. City of Moreno Valley

However, three major anchors were allowed to remain open: Macy’s, JCPenney and Harkins Theatres, which operate in separately owned buildings with independent fire protection systems and their own exterior exits.

“Numerous health and safety code violations have been identified as posing significant risks to tenants and customers alike, including the potential loss of life in the event of a fire,” Moreno Valley officials said in a statement.

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Officials said the closure will remain in effect until repairs “are effectively and comprehensively addressed” by the mall’s owner, IGP Business Group.

City officials made clear the shutdown stemmed from ongoing noncompliance by the mall’s ownership.

Authorities said inspectors had previously identified violations and that the property owner failed to correct them following reinspection.

4 City officials red-tagged large portions of the 1.1-million-square-foot shopping center, ordering interior common areas and inline stores closed. Facebook/Moreno Valley Mall

Fire officials said the mall could not produce required inspection, testing and maintenance records for critical life-safety systems, including sprinklers, fire alarms, smoke control systems, fire doors and emergency lighting.

Beyond paperwork, inspectors cited physical deficiencies inside the complex, including blocked emergency exit routes, compromised fire doors and electrical issues that could pose hazards during an evacuation.

Officials warned that the conditions posed a risk of chaos in the event of a power outage or fire.

Councilmember Elena Baca-Santa Cruz said there were “hundreds of violations,” with nine deemed severe enough to prevent reopening. She stressed the situation was not a surprise to ownership, saying the issues had been raised prior to the red-tag order.

The California Post has sought comment from IGP Business Group.

4 Most of the mall’s interior was deemed unsafe after inspectors cited blocked exits, compromised fire doors and missing life-safety documentation. Facebook/Moreno Valley Mall

The shutdown comes just weeks after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed outside the mall on New Year’s Eve.

No arrests were announced at the time of the sheriff’s release. The Post has sought comment from law enforcement.

In August 2023, large groups of teenagers engaged in fights inside the mall, prompting a temporary shutdown.

Mall officials later imposed a controversial policy requiring minors to wear ID tags while on the property.

4 In August 2023, large groups of teenagers engaged in fights inside the mall, prompting a temporary shutdown and a controversial ID tag policy for minors. Facebook/Moreno Valley Mall

Moreno Valley, a city of roughly 214,000 residents in Riverside County, has struggled with persistent crime despite recent economic growth.

According to NeighborhoodScout data, the city’s crime index ranks it safer than just 17% of US cities, with a violent crime rate of 2.73 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 16.68 per 1,000.

In 2024 alone, the city recorded 583 violent crimes — including seven murders, 19 rapes, 182 robberies and 375 assaults — along with 3,568 property crimes, according to the data.

While the violent crime rate sits below the national median, the steady volume of offenses has contributed to ongoing public safety concerns in the Inland Empire community.

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