CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three suspects are in custody after two people were seriously injured in a shooting at Northlake Mall Thursday afternoon, police confirmed.
The incident happened just before 3 p.m. An on-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer at the mall heard the gunshots and responded immediately, according to CMPD officials.
As the officer was responding to the shooting, CMPD said the officer encountered the suspected shooter. The suspect reportedly dropped a weapon as they tried to flee. CMPD said the officer chased the suspect before successfully taking the individual into custody.
On Friday, CMPD confirmed three suspects have been arrested in connection to the shooting, including a 17-year-old charged with assault, 21-year-old Jadah Van Williams who is charged with assault, and 19-year-old Xavior Grant Alexander who is charged with Attempted Murder & Assault with Deadly Weapon.
Medic confirmed two people were taken to the hospital with injuries related to the shooting. The shooting is likely the result of a fight, a CMPD official said in a later news conference.
The victim who engaged in a fight with the suspect suffered life-threatening injuries in the shooting. A bystander inside a nearby store was also shot. That person suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both people were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Northlake Mall later confirmed one person had been discharged from the hospital, but did not specify which person had been released.
During a news conference Thursday, a CMPD spokesperson tried to assure shoppers: while they are safe, they should always stay aware of their surroundings.
An employee at a denim store near Dillard's told WCNC Charlotte on Thursday they heard gunshots so they locked down their storefront. Another mall employee told WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker they saw a "stampede" of shoppers out their store windows.
"I saw people run out of the mall and police run in," Davion Marsh said. "This is not the first time this has happened over here."
The mall was closed for the remainder of the day Thursday. A Northlake Mall representative said the mall is working with authorities as the investigation continues.
Northlake Mall was contractually obligated to tenants to open Friday, the mall confirmed, but it was up to each retailer on if they chose to operate. The mall acknowledged many employees rely on their positions and ability to work, and said it would provide counselors "to ensure that employees know that they are both safe and cared for as they return to work."
Nicole Peternel, spokesperson for the Northlake Mall, said the mall increased security measures for Friday following the event.
“You’ll see increased police officer and security guards there," Peternel said. "We want to make sure shoppers return and they know they are actually safe.”
WCNC Charlotte asked how many more officers would be on site. Peternel said she couldn't discuss the security plan but said CMPD would be able to provide numbers. WCNC Charlotte reached out to CMPD asking how many extra officers were on site and for how long, but did not hear back.
The properties housing the mall and surrounding businesses have been the location of violent crimes in the past.
- In October, one person died after a fight inside the Fox and Hound restaurant near Northlake Mall.
- In August, two people were injured in a shooting near a Northlake Mall parking lot.
- In June, one person was injured in a shooting outside Northlake Mall.
- In April, one person died in a shooting at the Wendy’s restaurant outside Northlake Mall.
- In March, a teenager was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting another teenager inside the mall. As a result, the mall began a youth supervision requirement that August.
The requirement, which restricted when visitors under the age of 17 could visit without the supervision of an adult aged 21 years of age or older, came around the same time a similar policy was issued at Concord Mills Mall, which had been the site of a deadly shooting that same month.
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