Police say that there is no cause for alarm after an earlier report that there was an active shooter at a shopping mall in College Station, Texas.

The reports of an active shooter had initially prompted police to ask people to shelter in place, as armed officers were seen in the parking lot outside of the Post Oak Mall.

"The sounds reported were most likely the sound of breaking glass at Zales," the police department tweeted, referring to a jewel store.

"Anyone sheltering in place: it is safe to resume normal activities," the account wrote.

The shooting sparked instant concern online, with Twitter users in the Texas city performing what is now a normal routine — spreading concern and mourning what they believed was the latest shooting in an American community.