SEATTLE — The release of Nike’s new Air Jordan basketball shoes caused a frenzy at stores across the nation Friday as scuffles broke out and police were brought in to stamp out unrest that nearly turned into riots in some places.

In suburban Seattle, police used pepper spray on about 20 customers who started fighting at Westfield Southcenter mall.

Tukwila Officer Mike Murphy said people started gathering around midnight at four stores in the mall for a chance to buy the shoes, which retail for about $180 a pair.

“Around 4, it started to get pretty unruly and officers sprayed pepper spray on a few people who were fighting, and that seemed to do the trick to break them up,” Murphy said.

One man was arrested for assault after authorities say he pushed an officer.

Arrests also were reported at stores in Georgia and Michigan.

The Southcenter mall’s stores sold out of the Air Jordan 11 Retro Concords, and all but about 50 people got their shoes.