Krystal Anderson, 18, was shot in the chest Sunday night inside the mall. She was listed in serious condition Monday evening at Cape Fear Valley Hospital, where she was unconscious and on a respirator.
Michael Anderson said his daughter's boyfriend was carrying a handgun, and it discharged when it fell out of his pocket and hit the ground.
"I want to know why he's not in jail," Michael Anderson said. "You have firearms in the mall and signs all around that say you can't have firearms in the mall, and he's still out here running around."
The 19-year-old boyfriend is on probation in connection with previous convictions on misdemeanor charges.
Police haven't charged anyone in the case and have refused to say whether they consider the incident an accident or intentional.
Meanwhile, Cross Creek Mall managers stepped up security in the wake of the shooting.
"Just like any other public domain, we're trying to be as proactive as possible so this doesn't occur," mall manger Matt Holligan said.
But shoppers were still a bit on edge when they learned of the shooting.
"I come here a lot -- at least once a week -- so that's scary," shopper Lisa Woodard said.
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