Edit Note: June 10 at 8:00 p.m. The term "multi-casualty" was changed to "multi-victim"
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Gastonia, N.C. - June 10, 2022 - Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) have arrested and charged a 17-year-male with multiple felony offenses related to a multi-victim shooting that occurred this afternoon at the Eastridge Mall. Due to the defendant’s age, North Carolina law prohibits the release of his name and photo.
Investigators have now determined that all the victims were shot in the mall parking lot and that the victims fled inside to the food court area of the mall after being shot. Detectives have also now determined that a male victim, who was believed to have been the fourth person shot in this incident and who self-transported to a hospital in Charlotte, was not shot during the Eastridge Mall incident. This individual is now believed to have been shot in a neighboring jurisdiction. Investigators are also now working to determine if there is any known relationship between the defendant and any of the victims.
At approximately 12:10 p.m. today (June 10), GPD officers, Fire and Rescue personnel, and numerous public safety agencies from the surrounding area responded to the Eastridge Mall located at 246 N. New Hope Road a shooting that just occurred.
First responders located an adult male outside the mall near the food court suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers were told that there were additional victims inside the food court area of the mall. Officers entered the mall and located an adult female and an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. These three victims were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A discarded handgun was located in the food court area of the mall.
During the initial response, officers were told that a possible suspect was seen running from the mall and into a nearby wooded area. GPD officers entered the woods and located a 17-year-old male. A handgun was located in the woods near where the teenager was found. The teenager was taken into custody without incident and transported to GPD Headquarters for an interview.
After the interview, the teen was charged with multiple felony offenses related to this multi-victim shooting at the Eastridge Mall. Detectives continue to work to determine a motive for these shootings.
GPD thanks all the law enforcement and public safety agencies from surrounding jurisdictions who responded to assist in this large-scale incident.
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