Fifteen people were treated for injuries after someone released pepper spray inside or near the elevator shaft of the JCPenney at the Westfield Countryside shopping mall in Clearwater.

The Clearwater Fire Department treated 15 people at the scene. Four people were transported to a local hospital.

The store was briefly evacuated, but it closed at 9 p.m. The area of the store was being ventilated by the fire department.

No other information was released.