Police have made an arrest in connection with the Black Friday shooting that led to panic at Destiny USA. Kyree Truax, 21, is charged with assault, possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.
The incident happened near the food court.
"I'm trying to get some Burger King," said employee Nick Fager, "all of a sudden I look up and I hear 'go!' and everyone rushed like it was a herd and stampede of animals. It was crazy."
"I can only imagine how terrifying it is to hear there are shots that have been fired at that location," said Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner. "We certainly understand the gravity of that moment."
The police response was quick. First, they found the 20-year-old-victim who had been shot twice in the leg, then they worked to get everyone out of the mall safely.
"We plan and prepare and have for years to take the right actions in the event that something like this ever happens," said Destiny USA General Manager, Robert Schoeneck.
Police say the shooting was part of a dispute and did not pose a threat to shoppers. Still, thousands of people rushed to evacuate.
"We have a method to distribute that information to each of the individual tenants electronically," Schoeneck said. "That's part of our training throughout the years; practice closing your gate, locking your door."
Not long after the shooting, the suspect was involved in a car crash downtown — that's when police took him into custody. The chief says this shouldn't worry anybody.
"To the public, I would say don't allow two or three knuckleheads to ruin your holiday season," Buckner said. "An event happened, we responded to that event. There were no significant injuries as a result of it. Please continue to enjoy your holiday season."
Police have increased their presence both outside and inside the mall. The mall is open and is operating on normal hours. Police say it is safe for shoppers to return. They are working to provide counseling services to anyone in the community who was impacted by the shooting.
As well, some churches are offering their aid on Sunday to people impacted by the Black Friday shooting. Those locations are:
Abundant Life Church
7000 All Nations Blvd
East Syracuse, NY 13057
315-463-7300
Pastor John Carter
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
People’s A.M.E. ZIon Church
2306 South Salina Street
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-472-1198
Pastor Daren C. Jaime
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Well of Hope
1640 South Avenue
Syracuse, Ny 13207
Pastor Lateef Johnson-Kinsey
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pastor Derrek Galloway
Connected Christian Church
107 East Beard Ave
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-477-5069
11am
Pastor H. Bernard Alex
Victory Temple Fellowship Church
817 East Willow Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
315-474-4213
1030am
Pastor Erik Eure
Promise Land Church
100 Eisenhower Ave
East Syracuse, NY 13057
315-627-0414
11am
Pastor Collette Mathews-Carter
Zion Hill Church
900 W Onondaga
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-706-5596
9 am
Pastor Ashanti Dickerson
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
241 W Lafayette Ave
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-476-8961
11am
Pastor Max Jones
Apostolic Church Church of Jesus Christ
347 Cortland Ave
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-476-1665
11am
Pastor Nonnie Holliman
Bread of Life Church
311 Burnet Ave
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-478-2699
11am
Pastor Rickey Montgomery
Great Grace Church if God in Christ
411 Oswego Steet
Syracuse, NY 13204
315-479-9600
1-3pm
Pastor Andre Dowdell
Greater New Testiment MB Church
1121 S. Salina Street
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-422-9777
11am