Police Say Shopper Safety Not In Question After Mall Shooting
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 NEWS
Updated: March 1, 2013
That is except for the Sbarro Pizza Kiaosk where a security guard stood watch next to roses that were placed on the businesses counter.
Two young men, Tristan Bryant ,18, and Deonte Edison are accused of shooting two employees there and stealing some cash.
Employee Christian Hayes, 25, was killed and Jashonta Thomas, 18, is said to be in critical condition.
"There is video from surrounding areas in the mall," said Sgt. Cassandra Davis with Little Rock Police.
They are using survellience video to see how the suspects were able to get into the mall after closing time.
They said it's likely if the suspects were former employees, they were familiar with exactly what to do and where to go.
"We're looking at that as far as determining exactly the route of the suspects and how they entered the business," said Sgt. Davis.
"Two young people injured," said Tracy Johnson. "Two young people in jail now."
Little Rock residents are calling what happened senseless.
"It'd be nice if we all didn't have to worry about this," said Johnson.
He said his daughter lives close to the mall.
He's concerned for her safety as well as what others visiting the city might think.
Especially with the shooting happening so close to the marathon.
"You don't like having violence associated with your city," said Johnson.
Little Rock Police said this was simply an isolated incident and the public at large is not in danger.
"We don't think there's someone out there targeting shoppers," said Sgt. Davis. "Rather this was a robbery that went terribly wrong."
Two young men, Tristan Bryant ,18, and Deonte Edison are accused of shooting two employees there and stealing some cash.
Employee Christian Hayes, 25, was killed and Jashonta Thomas, 18, is said to be in critical condition.
"There is video from surrounding areas in the mall," said Sgt. Cassandra Davis with Little Rock Police.
They are using survellience video to see how the suspects were able to get into the mall after closing time.
They said it's likely if the suspects were former employees, they were familiar with exactly what to do and where to go.
"We're looking at that as far as determining exactly the route of the suspects and how they entered the business," said Sgt. Davis.
"Two young people injured," said Tracy Johnson. "Two young people in jail now."
Little Rock residents are calling what happened senseless.
"It'd be nice if we all didn't have to worry about this," said Johnson.
He said his daughter lives close to the mall.
He's concerned for her safety as well as what others visiting the city might think.
Especially with the shooting happening so close to the marathon.
"You don't like having violence associated with your city," said Johnson.
Little Rock Police said this was simply an isolated incident and the public at large is not in danger.
"We don't think there's someone out there targeting shoppers," said Sgt. Davis. "Rather this was a robbery that went terribly wrong."
