Two teens arrested in connection with shooting at mall; one remains at large
Police on Saturday arrested two San Francisco teens suspected of firing off shots in San Bruno’s Tanforan Mall on Tuesday, causing pandemonium for shoppers and employees, authorities said.
During a search warrant executed early Saturday in San Francisco, police arrested a 16-year-old boy suspected of firing shots during the incident and a 15-year-old boy who did not fire a gun but is suspected of acting “in concert” with the shooter, according to San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini.
Police are looking for a second suspected shooter identified as Deandre Lejon Gantt, 18, of San Francisco. Gantt remains at large and is believed to be armed, Barberini said during a news conference Saturday.
The two suspects arrested Saturday were booked into the San Mateo County Youth Services Center “on charges related to attempted murder and conspiracy,” according to a statement issued by the police department.
“This type of behavior is not something that we’re going to tolerate in San Bruno nor should it be tolerated anywhere. It’s kind of shocking, to be honest; not only their age but the location of where it happened,” Barberini said.
Officers were dispatched to the Shops at Tanforan at 1150 El Camino Real just before 4 p.m. Tuesday for a report of shots fired.
A 40-second clip released by police on Wednesday captures the confrontation, which begins with a group of people running toward the T-mobile store on the upper level of the mall. A member of the group is seen turning and firing at a someone from a second group of people who falls to the floor. A member of the second group then can be seen firing a handgun in the direction of the first group.
The shooting resulted from a “relatively minor” dispute between the two groups, Barberini said. He could not say whether the groups were gang-related.
“It’s going to take us a lot more investigation and a little bit more research to determine whether or not we can actually identify them as gang members and proceed with those charges,” he said.
Two victims, who were part of the groups, suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and were taken to San Francisco General Hospital to be treated. Barberini said the victims had been interviewed by officers but “I would not say they were completely cooperative.”
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and attempting to identify all the teens involved.
Anyone with any information related to the shootings is asked to contact the San Bruno Police Department at (650) 616-7100 or by email: sbpdtipline@sanbruno.ca.gov.