The Hudson Valley was faced with some tense moments over the weekend.

During one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year the Galleria Crystal Run in Middletown was evacuated when a shot was fired inside of the mall. Around 3:15pm on Sunday, Nov. 26, a gunshot rang out in the American Eagle store.

Thankfully there were no fatalities or serious injuries.

It was still a scary situation for many to be in, especially young children at the mall with their families.

Many families were at the mall visiting with Santa Claus. Children were explaining whether or not they belonged on the naughty or nice list, while moms and dads took the opportunity to take a perfect Christmas card photo.

According to News12 Hudson Valley, Santa Claus had to leave his post at the mall as well during the evacuation and didn't stop working while in the parking lot.

Pictures from the Galleria at Crystal Run show Santa comforting scared children as people continued to evacuate the building.

News12 says that Santa was staying at a nearby Holiday Inn. When management got wind of what Santa did, they offered him a free continental breakfast.

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