The teenager who sent the Ote Ranch Town Center Mall into lockdown has been arrested.
According to the agency, in connection with a shooting incident at a liquor shop in Ote Ranch Town Center, Chula Vista Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy, after which a lockdown was imposed at the mall on October 28.
The police have taken the minor into custody without providing any additional information about the suspect due to his age and the ongoing nature of the investigation. Law enforcement is still seeking more details about the incident and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
According to the Chula Vista Police Department, the shooting took place around 7 PM at the Novo Brazil Brewing located in a shopping mall at 2015 Birch Road. Following the incident, authorities temporarily closed the mall for about 20-30 minutes.
Officials from the Chula Vista Police have been in contact with all four victims of the incident. A 16-year-old boy was injured with a gunshot to the leg but is expected to recover. The agency stated in a press release that the police believe he was involved in the initial altercation.
A 58-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were also injured by a single gunshot each. Chula Vista police reported that both of them received treatment at a hospital, and their survival is anticipated.
The agency wrote on Monday that the police believe a bullet hit a 21-year-old woman’s leg, and she has been treated with hopes of survival.
CVPD said the shooting likely occurred during an argument between two groups.
Police Look into
CVPD stated that this incident was not an “active shooter” situation, and they believe there was only one suspect who fired a shot with a firearm during the incident. The suspect has not been apprehended yet, and there is currently no additional information available about the suspect.
During a press conference, CVPD Lieutenant James Petre said, “We believe there was one shooter in that group and at least two other individuals.” “We have one group that was a suspect group, we believe there were approximately two people in it, possibly more.”
CVPD, in a post on their platform formerly known as Twitter, stated, “There is no evidence of a hate crime or terrorism involved.”
The investigation is still ongoing. At the time of the shooting, several security personnel were present at Novo Brewing and Otay Ranch Town Center. According to CVPD, investigators are reviewing witness videos, but they are not currently available to the public.
CVPD expresses gratitude to the customers and community members who provided assistance at the scene of the incident.
The founder of Novo Brazil Brewing Company, Tiago Carneiro, issued a statement regarding the incident next Sunday morning:
“Last night, an incident of shooting occurred at Otay Ranch Town Center, in which alleged participants eventually entered Novo Brazil Brewing Company. A Novo employee sustained minor injuries as a result. An innocent security guard was shot by a bystander. Carneiro wrote, ‘We are grateful that both individuals’ injuries are not life-threatening, and we are praying for a speedy recovery.'”