WILMINGTON — A 911 call prompted heavy police presence at Independence Mall on Tuesday. Officers responded to a call around 3:45 p.m. that someone in the mall had a firearm. One person reported hearing shots.
Wilmington Police Department and partner agencies responded to 3500 Oleander Dr., according to a release from the WPD. No shots were fired nor injuries sustained. However, law enforcement have arrested four people in connection to the incident:
- Jordan Smith, 25 — possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and resist delay and obstruction a law enforcement officer; in custody with no bond.
- Tristian Allen, 20 — resist delay and obstruct a law enforcement officer; on a $1,200 secure bond
- Rashaad Rogers, 23 — felony flee to elude; in custody with no bond
- Damien Turner, 19, resist delay and obstruct and simple possession of marijuana; in custody with no bond.
Officers said the 911 reports detailed men were walking around the mall with guns in their hands, at least one described as a rifle. Word of mouth spread, leading to people fleeing and saying shots had been fired.
Both WPD and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and observed the males whose descriptions matched citizen reports; the men entered a white car to leave. Officers attempted to stop the suspects in the vehicle, but the driver, Rashad Rogers, chose to ignore law enforcement.
Officers managed to stop the car on Wilshire Boulevard, where a firearm was seized after being thrown from the vehicle during the chase. Officers took two suspects into custody, as two others ran away on foot. However, with the help of the K-9 unit, the others were eventually detained as well.
Meanwhile, law enforcement at the mall secured the area and checked on the welfare of shoppers and bystanders inside, many of whom sought shelter in stores. That is when officers confirmed no shots were fired during the incident.
This case is still under investigation.
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