Shopping center cleared after brawl
Published: Sun, Jul. 27, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Sun, Jul. 27, 2008 07:53AM
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closeRALEIGH -- Police evacuated Triangle Town Center Saturday night after a brawl broke out in the upper-level food court.
In a news release Saturday morning, Raleigh police said at the brawl's peak, an estimated 200 to 300 people were involved. The cause of brawl was gang-related, Raleigh police said.
The melee started shortly before 8 p.m.
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Police at the scene described it as chaotic as more officers rushed to the mall to assist with the evacuation. Four off-duty Raleigh police were working at the mall and officers from Raleigh, the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff's Office responded.
Many shoppers were frightened by the uproar and fled the center hurriedly. Triangle Town Center security closed the mall at 8:40 p.m — 20 minutes early — and the scene was secured by 9 p.m., according to the release.
A Raleigh officer received a significant laceration on his knee and had to be taken to Duke Raleigh Hospital. He is expected to recover.
A 15-year-old male was stabbed in the buttocks in an altercation outside of the mall. He was taken to WakeMed and his wounds are not life-threatening.
Police took into custody eight people, seven of whom were over the age of 16. According to a release, the charges against the people will include felony riot; assault on a law enforcement officer; engaging in an affray; disorderly conduct; resisting, obstructing or delaying a public officer; and trespassing. The eighth person is 15 years old and will be subject to a juvenile petition.
The names of those arrested have not been released by the police department yet. The police are still investigating the incident.
The mall will reopen at noon on today.
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