New security photos released of Crabtree Valley shooting suspects

Anyone who recognizes the men in the photos is asked to call Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357.

The shooting occurred Dec. 17 shortly before 9 p.m. on the lower level outside the LEGO store, police said. Two people who were among a large group of people began arguing on an escalator, and the fight turned into a physical altercation when they got to the lower level near the Christmas tree.

One of the two then pulled out a gun and fired, and the second person returned fire, police said. Seven projectiles were found at the scene.

Although there have been no reports of gunshot victims at area hospitals, police found a trail of blood at the scene, leading them to believe that one of the shooters was hit.

No bystanders were injured during the shooting, officials said.

"You would hope that you could go to a mall, go in and pick up what you want and enjoy your moment of shopping," Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown. "It is not normal to expect to go to a mall and have this type of incident happen."

Shoppers scattered when the gunfire began.

A Bath and Body Works shopper shared video with WRAL News showing the chaotic moments. She said customers rushed into the back room to hide.

Others also said they ran to hide when the shots rang out. Some hid in store closets to stay safe.

"I'm barricaded in my stockroom right now," one store worker told a 911 dispatcher, saying he heard about five shots, followed by people running and screaming.

Amanda Johnson, who was at the food court at the time, said a woman came up to her while she was eating and told her shots were fired in the mall.

"My first thought was my kids at home. We were trying to do last-minute Christmas shopping," said Johnson, who saw police arrive as she was leaving.

Another woman said she was eating at Kanki, which was near where shots were fired.

"I left everything, I left my bags there because I had done Christmas shopping," she said. "I left my car."

After the shooting, the mall was evacuated and closed for the night. The mall reopened Friday morning.

So far this year, Raleigh police have responded to 997 shooting calls and 361 aggravated assaults involving a firearm, she said. More than 110 people have been shot in the city in 2020, and 21 of the 27 homicides involved a gun.

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"This is so much bigger than the mall," the chief said. "These numbers are unacceptable. ... This is not what is or should be reflective of the city."

Deck-Brown said that the Raleigh community should do their part by reporting what they see to the police.

"Collectively, we have to take a stand," she said.

Anyone with information about the mall shooting or the identities of the three men is asked to call Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357.