Another Mall Shooting (KCMO)!!

[SecTrainer]

It's happened again, this time in KCMO - apparently, 2 dead. Details still sketchy.

It's time to wake up and smell the coffee, mall owners!

[davis002]

News Links



At Least 2 Killed In Kansas City Mall Shooting

"Authorities evacuated a movie theater in the shopping center and the facility was shut down. Surrounding streets also were closed.

According to some media reports, the shooter opened fire in the parking lot of the shopping center. There are also conflicting reports as to whether the shooter is one of the dead or if he is in custody."

Two Die In Shopping Mall Shooting Spree

"Reports claimed a man shot a police officer in the arm during a traffic check and then drove to the mall where he opened fire with what may have been an AK-47 assault rifle."

2 dead in Mo. mall shooting

"At least two people were killed Sunday afternoon in a shooting at a shopping center, a fire official said.

The shooting occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. at the Ward Parkway shopping center, according to police.

"We have at least two fatalities, maybe more," said Joe Vitale, a fire department battalion chief."

Video Links

Witnesses Describe Gunman in Mall Shooting

Eyewitnesses Describe Scene at Mo. Mall Shooting

Law Enforcement Rush to Scene of Mall Shooting

[davis002]

I am now hearing that 3 people are dead. Seeing that this only happened a few hours ago, i'm sure more exact details will be available by tomorrow morning/afternoon.

[Christopherstjo]

According to Channel 5 News, here in KCMO, the supsect was shot and killed by Mall Security Officers.

The incident originally took place during a traffic stop by a police officer who was subsequently shot in the arm. The police officer was treated and released.

Those of us who live and work in KCMO and those of us who do security in KCMO, know all too well what a violent city we have here. This is just one example of what has been taking place during the past two months.

[Arff312]

What the F*** is it going to take for people to realise that malls are dangerous. The security their needs to be armed. How many more of these indcidents do we need to have? I hate seeing this stuff. When I worked at the mall they wouldnet even give uss pepper spray ( didnt want to scare the customers). but we were always in fights and had a number of stabings etc.. I think if they would have armed us we would have gotten more customers as people would feel safer. I have had a number of people tell me they would not return because it is too dangerous at the mall. What doe sit take. How many more people must needlessly Die ????? Same with schools... I dont get this.

[OccamsRazor]

When I worked at the mall they wouldnet even give uss pepper spray ( didnt want to scare the customers).

I always love that reasoning...Like a local college that forbids it's security to wear vests to make the campus "appear safe".

I could open carry a pistol through the local mall and about 1 in every 100 she- er, people would notice it. As someone else said, you could wear a shirt with huge red letters on it saying "HI MY NAME IS NATE AND I'M CARRYING A KIMBER .45ACP PISTOL ON MY RIGHT HIP" on it, 99.9% of the population wouldn't even see it.

Scare the customers...

[Christopherstjo]

I just edited my prior post to make a correction that it was Mall Security Officers who shot and killed the suspect not the police, according to Channel 5 News, here in KCMO

In other news, we are seeing a rise in armed robberies here as well. Today we had five, by the same suspects...who are also believed to be responsible for the four last week. There is a gang of about six males who are doing some very good case work and careful planning including knowing when security starts duty, before robbing a place.

[Lawson]

I am rather confident that it will only take 3-4 more shootings and 5-6 more hostage situations for our local mall to give the guards kevlar and pepper spray.

[FireEMSPolice]

I agree. Malls need to stop making Security Officers defenseless and start arming them. At my mall, I dont have a means of defense.

[davis002]

it was Mall Security Officers who shot and killed the gunman

Who said that on KCTV?... I just watched the video coverage, and the police spokesman refused to release any details in regards to who actually shot him. I am in no way saying I don't beleive you, I am just trying to sort it all out.

[CorpSec]

4 dead total, the person that shot the bad guy to death was a police officer working off duty as security. So, if you say the police shot the suspect, I guess you would be right, and if you said that mall security shot the suspect, that would technically be correct as well.

[Lawson]

Any word if he was under the color of mall security or the Police Department working a security detail?

[CorpSec]

Any word if he was under the color of mall security or the Police Department working a security detail?

I am guessing since they said he was off duty that it was for the mall itself and not through his agency.

[Black Caesar]

I'm betting it is the standard deal: Off duty police officer working in police uniform as an "independent contractor" to the mall, not as a mall employee.

2 Questions.

#1. Does any mall have armed in house or contract private security? I've never ever seen that around these parts, all the mall security I see or know of is unarmed.

#2. What does it matter who shot the guy? Whether he was a Police Officer or Security Officer doesn't matter to me one bit.

[Lawson]

#1. Does any mall have armed in house or contract private security? I've never ever seen that around these parts, all the mall security I see or know of is unarmed.

Around here, no. All mall security around me, unfortunately is unarmed. On some occassions you will have a police officer toying about, but it is a rarity. Someone was once telling me about Armed Mall Security in Atlanta a while back, but I have never seen them myself (never went to a mall when I was in ATL).

#2. What does it matter who shot the guy? Whether he was a Police Officer or Security Officer doesn't matter to me one bit.

Because this is a security forum, and it is probably interesting to the members here if this was actually a security guard rather than the common story of "shooter at -----, police arrive at -----, police shoot shooter. Securtiy is unheard from." Had this been a contract or in-house security officer, that would be good ammo for someone's arsenal if they wanted to try to arm their mall's security.