Witnesses say they heard people screaming and then heard gunshots. However, Raleigh Police say no shots were fired.
The fight, which began inside the mall, continued outside as the crowd began to be disbursed. At its peak, the number of people associated with the disturbance was estimated at between 200 and 300 people. Some of those who were involved are known to be associated with gangs, and the genesis of the incident was gang related.
Raleigh Police Department spokesman Jim Sughrue says when referring to the incident as gang related, "it means that an incident occurred to further the purposes of the gang."
Triangle Town Center Mall security personnel made a decision to close the facility at approximately 8:40 p.m. Order was fully restored about 9 p.m.
A Raleigh Police Department sergeant sustained a significant laceration to one of his knees during the incident. The injury occurred while he was in foot pursuit of a suspect, not as a result of an assault. He was transported to Duke Raleigh Hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
A 15-year-old male was stabbed in the buttocks during one of the altercations that occurred outside the mall. He was transported to Wake Med. His wounds are not life threatening.
Seven people were taken into custody as a result of the incident. Six of them were arrested and charged.
- The six include:
- Javonnie Nicholson, 16, is charged with inciting a riot, assault on law enforcement officer (not related to the knee laceration sustained by the RPD sergeant) and second degree trespassing.
- Ricky Ladd Williams, 16, is charged with inciting a riot and engaging in an affray.
- Laquavis Oneal Jordan, 16, is charged with inciting a riot.
- Darryl Anthony Bobbitt, 18, is charged with inciting a riot, resist/obstruct or delay a public officer and second degree trespassing.
- Christopher James Gamble, 17, is charged with inciting a riot and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury (the stabbing that occurred outside the mall).
- Tyrell Eugene Brantley, 18, is charged with inciting a riot and disorderly conduct.
Nicholson and Jordan have bonded out. They will be in court at 9 a.m. Others will be in court at 2 p.m.
One witness says people were running to their store looking to hide from the chaos.
Shoppers outside of the mall say they are concerned about the confrontation.
"When they start shooting, they can shoot at us, anybody in the mall, anyone innocent walking by, a bullet could hit them. Not even safe to come shopping," shopper Gay Akemon said.
Jones declined to say if the mall had security camera footage of the incident. Sughrue said authorities are still investigating.
Several mall employees say the incident highlights a huge problem of loitering --saying security officers do not enforce the anti-loitering policy.
Mall management says there is an anti-loitering police, but there is loitering at any mall. They say they have kicked groups out before. Their rules state no groups can congregate at the mall.
The mall held a meeting for employees at the food court Sunday at 9 a.m. to talk about the incident.
Jennifer Jones, the mall's marketing director, said the mall will operate during normal hours Sunday and that officials there are working to identify ways to prevent such an incident from happening again.
"Our main concern is the safety of our shoppers and our retailers," Jones said.
