GUILDERLAND – Police agencies are investigating shots fired inside Crossgates mall late Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Calls came in at around 4 p.m. for the shots outside the Foot Locker store in the mall, police said. There were no reports of injuries and police described the incident as isolated.
Police then cleared the mall systematically and processed the scene, police said.
Pyramid Management Group, which operates the mall, issued a statement in response to the incident and also indicated what happened was isolated, not random.
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“The safety of our guests and tenants remains our highest priority. This afternoon’s unfortunate and isolated incident at Crossgates appears to have been between known acquaintances and not a random act or part of any intentional threat against the property,” Pyramid’s statement read. “The altercation resulted in the discharge of a firearm inside our facility. Law enforcement officials and Crossgates personnel were already onsite at the time of the incident inside the facility, and along with our tenants, immediately engaged in a comprehensive, routinely practiced and programmed response to address the incident. As such, Crossgates immediately went into lockdown.
“At this time, no arrest has been made, but law enforcement officials are confident the suspect has vacated the property,” Pyramid’s statement continued. “Law enforcement officials are currently assisting guests and tenants in safely vacating the property. Crossgates will be closing for the evening and reopening in the morning while we work closely with law enforcement officials in the full investigation of this incident.”
Guilderland police earlier tweeted that a “large police presence is on the scene with multiple agencies assisting.”
“The mall is currently on lockdown while the investigation continues,” Guilderland police wrote.
Both Albany Police and the state police also tweeted about the incident, indicating they are assisting.
“.@albanypolice officers are currently assisting @guilderlandpd with an incident of shots fired at @Crossgates_Mall. No injuries reported,” Albany’s Smith tweeted earlier. “A large police presence is at the mall & investigating. For your safety, please remain clear of the mall and surrounding roadways.”
The New York State Police tweeted: “State Police and other law enforcement agencies are assisting the Guilderland Police Department with an active investigation at Crossgates Mall. Avoid the immediate area surrounding Crossgates at this time.”
Wednesday’s incident came less than two weeks after Crossgates was allowed to reopen after the coronavirus shutdown.
The incident also appeared similar to one there in November 2016, when someone fired a gun inside the mall, near the Apple Store and Santa Land. No one was hurt in that incident.
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Categories: -News-, Life and Arts, Schenectady County
