Syracuse Police have arrested a 14-year-old for allegedly firing a shot at a garbage can near the Cinnabon in Destiny USA on Friday afternoon. The incident prompted the evacuation of the mall. The suspect was arrested on Wednesday without incident and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal possession of a firearm.
Initially, the police determined that someone had fired a round at a trash can during a dispute as an intimidation move against others before fleeing the scene. However, according to the police, the suspect fired a shot from a handgun aimed at another group but ended up hitting a trash can.
The mall was closed for the remainder of Friday night. The firearm involved in the incident has not been located, and the suspect is now residing at Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center.
The incident has raised concerns about safety in the mall, which has repeatedly seen gun violence and other crimes in recent years. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh pointed out the lack of federal gun laws, and data shows the majority of guns recovered and traced by law enforcement come from out of state.
In a statement released on Thursday, six days after the incident, Pyramid Management Group, which owns Destiny USA, expressed their concern over the matter. Syracuse Police Deputy Chief Richard Trudell emphasized the importance of underaged children not being in the mall without adult supervision.
Additionally, the 14-year-old was identified as the victim of a shooting with injury incident that occurred on January 3. Police say that evidence suggests the wound to the boy’s arm was the result of an accidental self-inflicted gun shot. The suspect also has an arrest history for property crime, particularly concerning stolen vehicles, according to Deputy Chief Trudell.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]