Page 1 of 1
It can happen anywhere
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:06 am
by Jake
National news
Anne Arundel County Public Information Officer Sara Schriver talks to reporters after a triple shooting at Westfield Annapolis Mall, Friday Nov. 18, 2006, in Annapolis, Md. Three people were shot during what appeared to be a gangland-style confrontation in the food court of the shopping mall Saturday evening, and one was critically wounded. (AP Photo/Matt Houston)
MATT HOUSTON: AP
Nov. 18, 2006, 11:51PM
Federal agent among 3 shot at Md. mall
By BEN GREENE Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — An off-duty Secret Service agent was shot after intervening in a fight in a shopping mall food court Saturday evening, and he returned fire, wounding the shooter, police said.
A third person was also shot in the melee, and all were hospitalized in stable condition late Saturday, said Officer Sara Schriver, an Anne Arundel County police spokeswoman.
The agent was at the Westfield Annapolis mall with his family shortly after 7 p.m. when he saw a group of men attacking another man, Schriver said.
"They all just started attacking one individual ... physically assaulting him, punching him," she said.
The agent tried to break up the fight, and someone in the group drew a gun and started firing, she said.
"He ran across the food court with his gun and was shooting at people," witness Lindsay Busch told WJZ-TV.
After the agent was shot, he drew his handgun and returned fire, wounding the shooter, police said. A third person was shot during the gunfight, but it was not clear who shot that person, Schriver said.
The agent and the shooter were flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The third victim was driven to a local hospital.
Their identities were not released.
Dozens of people witnessed what Schriver characterized as "a very traumatic and terrorizing incident."
"We had families there and juveniles, (a) typical Saturday night for you at the mall," she said.
Video surveillance footage of the scene was turned over to police, said Scott deGraffenreid, the mall's marketing director. He said mall management would not comment on the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.
Ray Leone, manager of the Borders Books & Music across from the food court, said he heard at least 10 gunshots, and dozens of people ran into his store in a panic.
"It's really not very normal, way out of the commonplace," he said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/ ... 46174.html
I was in a shopping center (trying to go christmas shopping) in Annapolis right next to the mall with a friend when this happened. Then unsuspectingly I go to the mall with her and several minutes after we get there she runs into a friend who said that someone was shot (the rumor was that someone was shot 7 times and killed but thankfully that wasn't the case).
After finding out about it, we go to the food court to see what was going on and the whole court was taped off and food was on the floor and the tables. It was the first time in a long time that I got goosebumps. When my friend and I left the building we walked around and saw tons of police cars and we even walked past a Channel 13 reporter and cameraman.
It's strange for a place so close to home and so common to me to become national news like this.
Also, as irony would have it, the woman in the photo spoke to my news media class just last week. It's a small world.
The night was really strange and makes me think how quickly life could end or even come close to ending.
So everybody be careful wherever you go. Please don't wind up in the news like this.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:37 am
by SkinsChic
Well, I'm certainly glad I was not watching the news last night after talking to you on the phone from the Mall !!! I told you I don't like you guys going to the mall / malls - especially at night. People are freaking crazy ! Thank God you're home safe.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:08 am
by 1niksder
So everybody be careful wherever you go
Very good advise, with the "Mall" season approaching. Stay save THNers
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:21 pm
by DESkins
Try to be aware of your surroundings, and know where the nearest exit is. If someone is wearing a bulky coat and the weather really isn't calling for it, find another place to be. You can always go back later. If they are wearing appropriate clothing for the weather, but one side of their shirt is conspicuously out, or one side of their coat is hanging below the other, they could be carrying something other than keys. Again, good idea to keep an eye on them and be prepared to get behind something solid and get out. Sad that we have to give this kind of advise, but it's the world we live in. If someone has a gun, give up whatever they are asking for. No matter what it is, it can be replaced. You CAN'T. Chuck Norris gets away with it, but that's on TV and in movies.
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:46 pm
by SkinsFreak
What the hell is wrong with some kids these days? I remember a poster here bragging about being "kind of a thug." What the hell does that mean? That he's a criminal, that he disrespects women, he's into gang-banging and drugs, that he steals, lies and cheats... and shoots people????
Sorry, but some kids today are really wack. Do they think that girls and other people are impressed by this behavior? I have 2 young daughters and really worry for them.
BTW - this is not a knock on all kids. I know there are many that don't get envolved in stuff like this. But geez...
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:09 pm
by Jake
Update: The suspect in the shooting was released from the hospital and taken into custody.
All this crap stemmed from stupid kids from two different neighborhoods in Annapolis. They took their crap to Annapolis High School in September which led to a lot of fights and arrests and now they took it to the mall.
Teenagers are so stupid. It's annoying.
Those dumbasses could have killed somebody. Anybody. Hell, anybody I know could have died. I know a lot of people that go to the mall. I hope this kid gets his ass handed to him in court.
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:17 pm
by Redskin in Canada
Jake wrote:Teenagers are so stupid. It's annoying.
Not having ever been one personally, I do not know what it is like.
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:12 pm
by DESkins
Unfortunately, Jake, the chances are very good that the worst thing that can happen is that the shooter (depending on his age) would end up in Juvenile Hall (or the Maryland equivalent) until his 18th birthday. In the odd culture that we seem to be living in now, that will serve to give him "street cred" when he gets out, and will do nothing to deter any further actions on his part. Of course, if he is 17, he might be tried as an adult and do some serious adult time, but that's a 50-50 shot at best. So, my earlier advise still stands, be aware of your surroundings and be ready to leave if you become uncomfortable with someone in your vicinity.
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:28 pm
by welch
And I, for for one, am glad you missed it.
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:53 pm
by SkinsChic
The kid is 18 - and he's in the detention center now being held after 2 major surgeries. He's in for major trouble.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:56 am
by DESkins
So he'll be charged as an adult. Good. Major trouble indeed.
Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:33 am
by fredp45
It can happen anywhere but it sure does happen more near cities/populated areas. I lived in Montgomery County all my life - until 13 years ago when I moved to one of the 3th most populated "cities" in WV. There are less people in this town than there is in Silver Spring. It's true, it isn't very likely to happen in a small town.
(On another note -- you can have the traffic -- the Beltway is ridiculous now. It was "bearable" 13 years ago, it is NOT bearable now.)
-- improve the quality (and safety) of your life and move to a smaller town!
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:23 am
by hailskins666
you know, almost the EXACT same thing happened in greenville a few months back.
kids at the mall, fight breaks out, someone goes to the car and grabs a gun, blood everywhere. luckily, nobody was killed here eitther.
wannabe gangstas...
http://search.wnct.com/DisplayCQArticle ... 07/04/0016
http://search.wnct.com/DisplayCQArticle ... 07/04/0013
http://search.wnct.com/DisplayCQArticle ... 07/05/0007