Upstate New York Mall Evacuated & Closed After Shooting On Black Friday, Gunman Arrested
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A busy mall in Syracuse was forced to close in the middle of Black Friday shopping after a man was shot. That gunman was finally arrested hours after the chaos began.
According to CBS-affiliate WROC, Destiny USA was evacuated after the shopper was struck by gunfire near the mall's food court.
Syracuse police say they were called in after a report of shots being fired around 7 p.m. Friday night.
The unidentified victim has reportedly suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his leg.
Store workers at Destiny USA reportedly locked themselves in their shops amid the panic. Police gave everyone in those stores the all-clear to leave the mall around 7:30 p.m. as they continued searching for the shooter.
The suspect, 21-year-old Kyree J. Truax, has been charged with 2nd Degree Reckless Endangerment, 2nd Degree Assault, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. WROC reports that police caught Truax during a traffic accident in the area following the shooting.
The Syracuse mall reopened for normal business on Saturday.
WROC reports that investigators do not believe this shooting was random and do not believe this is an active shooter situation.
Local authorities are stepping up patrols at Destiny USA and other New York shopping centers through the holiday weekend.
Pyramid Management Group, who owns the mall, released the following statement -- claiming the shooter and victim knew each other and that their shopping center is a safe one:
"This evening's unfortunate and isolated incident at Destiny USA was between two known acquaintances and not a random act or part of any intentional threat against the property. The altercation resulted in the discharge of a firearm inside our facility and injury to one of the two individuals. Law enforcement officials and Destiny USA personnel were already onsite at the time of the incident inside the facility, and along with our tenants, immediately engaged in a comprehensive, routinely practiced and programmed response to address the incident. As such, Destiny USA immediately went into lockdown. At this time, no arrest has been made, but law enforcement officials are confident the suspect has vacated the property. As such, the facility is no longer in lockdown, and all guests and tenants will be allowed to vacate the property. Destiny USA will be closing for the evening and reopening in the morning while we work closely with law enforcement officials in the full investigation of this incident."
