Four people have been arrested after two people were injured in a shooting at the Parks Mall in Arlington Thursday night according to Arlington police.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting near the ice rink inside the mall around 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The mall was immediately evacuated as officers secured the building. They arrested two young men - Damius Lindon, 19 and Jaccques Jacques, 19 - on the scene and charged them with fighting in public.
"Officers were already on scene. That's what provided the quick response," said Sgt. Courtney White from Arlington PD.
Police say it appears two groups of people got into a verbal argument on an escalator near the ice rink inside the mall that turned physical and ended in gunfire. The fight began because a man in one group spoke to another's girlfriend, according to police.
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During the fight police say Careco Harris, 17, brought out a gun but lost it during the fight. Kaiden Jackson, 18, picked it up according to police and shot at Harris, hitting him in the arm and wounding a random 38-year old woman shopper.
"For a second I just saw little kids running. In my head I was like they're probably just playing tag or something," said Nathaniel Espinosa, who works at a mall kiosk.
Then Espinosa saw adults running too. One shouted to him.
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"He was like 'Oh My God, we got to go.' There was something happening for real," said Espinosa.
The woman and Harris were transported to an area hospital, their injuries were considered non-life-threatening. Harris was placed under arrest after he was treated at the hospital.
"We want to remind the public that there are certain places that firearms are prohibited and the mall is one of them," said Sgt. White, "We see someone got upset and did something reckless and dangerous that put the whole public in jeopardy."
Jackson faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Harris will be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The investigation continues and more charges may be coming. It is unlawful to carry a firearm on the mall's property according to police.
Security cameras captured Jackson leaving the mall with the gun but the gun has not yet been found. Jackson was located and arrested at his parents house in Mansfield.
Friday, a spokeswoman for Parks Mall told NBC 5 there will be more security officers on scene over the weekend and will be strictly enforcing their curfew. No one under the age of 18 can be in the mall after 2 pm unsupervised.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Arlington PD said they believe this was an isolated incident.
Video showed a heavy police presence at the mall Thursday evening. Some witnesses tell NBC 5 they heard at least one gunshot inside the mall.
Arlington police say The Parks Mall is reopened for normal business hours on Friday.
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