Subject:* A friend wanted you to see this item from WRAL.com: https://wr.al/1JY9i Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown holds a news conference to discuss a Thursday night shooting at Crabtree Valley Mall. Show Transcript make some comments about the shooting at Crabtree Valley Mall yesterday evening. She will answer some questions afterward, along with Lieutenant Lillis. After that, she will then make a closing statement on Take a Few More Questions. If you all may have something, thank you, Chief Brown. Good afternoon. At approximately 8 47 PM last night, thoroughly, police departments officers responded to a shooting in the common area of the lower level of Crabtree Valley Long. What we know is that a large group of individuals was in the area when two individuals from the group began to argue. The argument then became physical. At some 0.1 suspect produced a handgun on fire. The other suspect returned fire. Although we have not received any reports of any gunshot victims, we believe that one of the suspects may have been injured due to a trail of blood that was located at the scene. No, by standards were injured. This was not an active shooter situation. We believe that the two individuals were known to each other. This is, however, an active investigation. We are requesting the public's help to identify suspects at the conclusion of this press event today we will release now on one calls and photos of the suspects related to this incident. We're also asking for the public's assistance to help us identify the suspects in the photos. Also, for any individuals who were in the mall during this event, if you have information, think that you have information that may assist us in this investigation. We're asking for your assistance as well. We're asking what you call Raleigh Crimestoppers at 919 834 4357 Are there any initial questions? And Lieutenant Lewis is going to come forward with some perhaps additional details as well. Yes, Chief. Can you tell us approximately how many shots were fired and in what section of the mall? I'm gonna go ahead and let Lieutenant Little come forward. Yes. Uh, you said how Maney Way collected seven, uh, project house from the scene last night. It happened on the downstairs level of them all just outside of the main lobby area near the Lego store. Why did it take so long? I think they acknowledge that the shooting that had occurred at the mall way don't have any idea who the suspects are at this point, we're looking into a lot of the video that we're drawing, so I'm not sure what you mean by acknowledge. There are no from an injury at the time, and it was believed that each other, but we couldn't get any further information it, and yet they were agents a lot of scared. It's an evolving situation where you know, so as information's coming into us, we're trying to sort through it as best we can. And when the information comes available, we'll give it to you when we can. Forgive me if this is redundant, whether a patient or just, uh, two shooters, this question is for you, Chief. Last night we were outside, and there are a number of residents and shoppers who said they were here going back to the mall during this holiday season. What would you say to them? Specific. That's actually part two of what I was going to say. Um, you know, 2020 has been an interesting time of the year, to say the least, and what we know is that people in some instances are really just looking for an opportunity to be distracted from what has been the norm all year. Cove in on S O. Normally, this time of the year is really an opportunity. Thio go to the mall to do some shopping, although that too, has been limited. And Theo year alone has afforded people to experience so many other griefs and hardships. And holiday shopping is just one of those experiences that people look forward to. Well, when you have events like this, it's troubling, and it's troubling for all of us, and especially when you put so many other people at risk. Um, you know, we've had several shootings of this kind throughout our city more specifically, and hospitality locations, bars and nightclubs where multiple people have been put at risk. And you know, so far this year, I'm gonna share some data with you as well. So far this year, we've had 997 calls for service regarding shooting incidents 361 aggravated assaults involving firearms where people have either been shot, then shot at, had a weapon pointed at them or were assaulted with a firearm. And these numbers also include the three shooting incidents that we had in our city yesterday. There have been a total of 112 people in our city who have been shot this year. And of the 27 total homicides, 21 were found related. So what we want to say is we clearly want our city to be a place where people can come and enjoy, uh, their time here, whatever their purpose is here in the city. And we know that this is that time of the year that, uh, people do want to get out and they wanna go thio to the mall and they want to go and do those things that are even more specific to the time of the year in the season. We know that we are living under an executive order and so social distancing and those things are equally important to prevent the spread. Um, but you would you would hope that you could go to a mall and go in and pick up what you want. Enjoy your moment of shopping stopped by the food court. If that's what you wanna do on go about your business, it is not normal to expect to go to a mall and have this type of an incident to happen. And so sadly, uh, you know, there are folks who are in fear on this is one of the reasons why we're here. Uh, this is an opportunity toe. Also, because it's bigger than the mall. This is so much bigger than the mall when I shared these numbers with you. All those numbers are unacceptable. Andi, they're absolutely unacceptable because this is not what is or should be reflective of this city, the capital city of Raleigh. You all had stood before me before, and I have talked about them. Bias and I have talked about the importance of of all of us having a role in the prevention of gun violence, and our community must assume a role in helping us prevent gun violence. Very often, the question is, Well, what is the police department doing? But we know that before these incidents occur, someone knows something. Someone sees something that may have led to the prevention of that incident occurrence. And so I stand here once again, employing our community to please take a stand to please come forward and say something. If you see something if you hear something, if you are made aware of these incidents occurring. Uh, those numbers are significant. And some of those bones yesterday, I believe one of the gunshot victims was 17 earlier in the day. It should not be the story that our young people have to tell in our city. This should not be the story that any has anyone has to tell. But imagine those folks who were at the mall last night and the story that they now have to tell on just a casual shopping opportunity. So these trends that we're seeing are not who we are in our city, and this is not what we're used to. But collectively we have to take a stand. The police, the community, the media help us tell that story. Give us those opportunities that we can weaken further talk about gun violence and you all have been very supportive in there. You've seen the orange T shirts. You've seen us out there speaking literally about the need to prevent Andi. And it's not just Raleigh your hand that's across the country, but it's it's concerning. And it should be concerning because this is this is not normal together, you wow area For interview dozens of people were interviewed afterwards, witnesses or people that heard it Or, um, what was the first question of sadness? It appears me. It's from the information we have. A Nardi Ament kind of started as they were coming down the escalator and, uh, continued in that kind of main lobby area where the Christmas tree is and then became physical as a kind of towards the hallway. That makes us the mall near the labor story. It's hard for me to tell examining it was it's Christmas time shopping. I mean, there's a lot of people in the area to begin with, you know, the people moved away is kind of the argument and fight started. Why? So all the evidence that we've collected so far has been sent for analysis, and we're waiting for the information to come back, really facing level and over. There were several paramedics over there or any treatments done on scene, not towards gunshot wounds, that any other sorts of these that's there was a couple of anxiety calls and people were checked out to make sure that they're okay, and I think one person may be rolled their ankles trying to get away but no transports of anybody else. 22 groups. Do we know if this was gang related? We're not exactly sure of their relationship, but they were involved in an argument, Uh, enough to get into a physical altercation. So, um, I can't say right now whether it was gang related or not. I'm not sure of the exact nature off the listen. Find out. Get a call. E. Had to refer you to Crabtree Valley mall for that. That would be their internal policias faras. Any kind of information is having people shelter in place or locked on him. She might have one problem on specifically about shootings to you. Yeah. People for me? Yes, we've had. Particularly as it relates to fatalities. We've had 27 homicides this year. 21 were firearm related. So that's 21 of those homicides, uh, involved with fire alarm. Um, we did not aggregate the data specifically for the aggravated assaults. That was a 361. Uh, that do reflect some who was shot. Some who was shot at, uh, some who had guns pointed at them on dwyer, salted with weapons Way would have toe look further at the date of the But that was just a summary for the day. Thank you all very Christmas. Can you tell us your answer, Kevin? In the last name is a little L I l s Spencer. Thank you all. And e mailing. Thank you. Thank you. Party emailing photographs? Yes. Those will be released very soon. Thank you. In an email along with 911