Gwinnett County detectives are turning to the public for help in identifying and locating two suspects in a Saturday shooting that sent shoppers at Sugarloaf Mills mall into chaos.
Officers working security at the mall heard a few gunshots just after 7 p.m. and immediately ran toward the sound, authorities said. More officers quickly responded as mallgoers ran outside and began calling 911, fearing it was an active shooter.
“Running through the food court ... trying to find where the shots are coming from,” one officer radioed in to dispatch. “Approaching past Sketchers, towards H&M,” he said.
The officers zeroed in on at least one suspect, who they spotted running into the parking lot before losing sight of him.
No one was hurt by the gunfire, Gwinnett police said, but the incident was “frightening and caused immediate panic among the patrons of the mall.”
Several witnesses told police that an argument had taken place between two suspects and an employee of a shoe kiosk, a department spokesperson said. The argument then turned into a fight, which allegedly ended with one or both suspects firing shots at the employee and putting the public at risk, police said.
On Friday, detectives released surveillance video they said showed the two suspects running through the mall. One suspect had short hair and was wearing all black with a backpack. The other had slightly longer hair and was wearing white or tan shorts with a black T-shirt.
No other identifying information was released about the suspects, who are facing charges of aggravated assault.
Saturday’s shooting comes 10 months to the day after another shooting at the mall claimed the life of 18-year-old Elijah DeWitt. He was shot to death in the parking lot of Dave and Buster’s during an armed robbery attempt.
Two suspects, 19-year-old Chandler Richardson and 18-year-old Kemare Bryan, were arrested on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
DeWitt’s parents have since sued the mall, arguing that it failed to provide adequate security before their son was killed. Simon Property Group, a real estate investment trust that owns shopping centers, denied any wrongdoing in a response to the lawsuit.
Anyone with information in Saturday’s shooting is asked to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website..
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