Key keywords: Stonestown Galleria Mall evacuation, San Francisco mall public safety threat, SFPD Stonestown incident, 2024 San Francisco mall emergency response, Stonestown Galleria threat investigation, mall evacuation safety protocol, Stonestown Galleria reopening update, SF civilian public safety alert The Stonestown Galleria Mall in southwest San Francisco was placed under full evacuation order on Thursday afternoon after an individual made a specific, credible threat of violence against visitors and staff, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed in an official press briefing. First responders received two separate alerts at approximately 2:17 p.m. local time: one from a mall guest who reported a man yelling threats of an explosive device in the ground-floor food court, and a second from mall management who found a handwritten note left at a customer service desk detailing plans to harm civilians and plant improvised explosive devices in high-traffic areas of the property. SFPD immediately deployed bomb squads, crisis negotiation teams, and over 40 uniformed officers to the scene, activating the mall’s pre-approved mass evacuation protocol to clear all 120+ retail stores, dining locations, and the attached movie theater within 40 minutes. Officers established a temporary safe zone in the adjacent Target parking lot for evacuated guests and staff, while also closing down two blocks of 19th Avenue surrounding the mall to restrict incoming traffic. Bomb-sniffing dogs and portable explosive detection equipment were used to sweep every area of the 860,000-square-foot property over the course of three hours, with investigators confirming no explosive devices or dangerous materials were found on site. By 6:02 p.m., SFPD announced that the scene was secured, and a 28-year-old local resident with a documented history of mental health conditions was taken into custody without incident at a nearby Muni bus stop, approximately 20 minutes after the evacuation order was issued. The suspect is currently facing charges of felony criminal threats, disorderly conduct, and creating a false public emergency, with a scheduled court appearance set for next Monday. Mall management released a public statement Thursday evening confirming that no staff or guests were injured during the evacuation, thanking first responders for their rapid response, and announcing that the mall will resume regular operating hours at 10 a.m. Friday. Additional armed security guards will be posted at all public entrances in the coming weeks, and management is reviewing plans to install enhanced security screening equipment at high-traffic entry points to prevent similar incidents in the future.