Virginia malls heighten security after ISIS threat: reports

Shopping centers near Washington, D.C., reportedly under threat
Police in Arlington, Va., Oct. 2021

Malls and shopping centers in northern Virginia saw increased security presence Saturday amid a report of a heightened ISIS threat against those locations. 

A "new law enforcement alert warned of a potential threat against malls and shopping centers located just outside of Washington, D.C.," CBS News reported. The threat allegedly "originated with ISIS."

Enhanced security measures for malls are set to remain in place over the Halloween weekend and could remain in place through Tuesday's gubernatorial election. 

"It's just our responsibility to have a greater presence, to be more aware and to ask the community to have their eyes and ears peeled for suspicious activities," Fairfax County Chief of Police Kevin Davis told CBS News.