Movie theaters, schools and churches — these are just some of the places where high-profile shootings have occurred over recent years.
Over the past year, malls were added to the list of locations shootings have taken place, with shoppers shot at, injured or killed in New York, Florida and Missouri malls.
Shortly before the new year arrived, Tennessee became another state impacted by a mall shooting.
On Dec. 26, 2017, gunshots were fired at the Wolfchase Galleria Mall, resulting in four injured victims and the arrest of Marquice Lester. Lester was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Shelby County Court documents.
Six teenagers were charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Memphis police.
The shooting was not the first act of violence at Wolfchase Galleria — the mall closed after a fight in 2014 and after another in 2016.
Michael Gurley, a forensic psychologist and crime scene expert, said the lack of resources in Memphis is the reason many minors are involved in this type of behavior.
“Social media and a lack of juvenile intervention programs has a lot to do with this continuing problem,” Gurley said.
Gurley also said he thinks minors are following the violence they see every day in Memphis.
“The juvenile population in Memphis is affected by the crime rate in Memphis and the social media perception of Memphis,” Gurley said. “Juveniles follow a social movement and a cultural movement. When surrounded by violence, the result is violence.”
Gurley said the presence of the Wolfchase shooting serves as a reminder that the community should step up and prevent these incidents from happening.
“This can be done by recognizing all cultures and sub-communities within the city as equal,” Gurley said. “You can’t have impoverished portions of the city that are suffering from violence and a violent response.”
Gurley also said the violence in Wolfchase defies the preconceived notion that violence only happens in South Memphis and Orange Mound.
“Violence sees no economic value — its human response is based on developmental traits in life,” Gurley said. “Put bad fuel in a car, it runs bad. Put good fuel in a child, and they develop into a great adult.”
Other malls in Memphis, like the Oak Court Mall, have taken action as a result of the Wolfchase shooting by implementing a Parental Escort Policy.
Oak Court Mall’s policy states anyone under the age of 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian. Guests who refuse to leave the mall when asked by security officers can be prosecuted for trespassing.
The mall’s officials also stated the policy can be implemented at any day and time when it is deemed necessary by management, security or local authorities.
Simon Property Group, Wolfchase Galleria’s owner and public relations team, did not specify if they are adding extra security measures.
“As always, our primary concern is for the safety of our customers and employees,” the company said in a public statement.
Patrons stand in line at the food court in the Oak Court mall. Although the main incident over the break occurred at the Wolfchase Galleria, Oak Court, which is the mall closest to campus, has had its share of criminal activity.
The Oak Court mall remained fairly quiet over the Christmas season. This mall closest to the U of M campus has seen its share of robberies and gun-related crimes recently.
One main entrance to the Wolfchase Galleria mall leads to the carousel. Shots fired at the mall on Dec. 26, 2017, leave some patrons worried about their safety when visiting the Cordova area mall.
Outside the doors of The Cheesecake Factory is where shots were reported on Dec. 26, 2017. This shooting worries some patrons and makes them wonder if this mall is the best place for shopping.
