Four youths between the ages of 13 and 15 are facing charges following an alleged confrontation involving an alleged airsoft pistol at Park Place Mall, and police are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Police said officers responded to multiple 911 calls shortly after 5:30 p.m. Aug. 28 reporting youths running through the mall with a gun. Working with mall security, officers located four teen boys and arrested them. Police also seized a gun from one of the youths that was later determined to be an airsoft pistol.
Police said officers also seized a knife and a baton from another youth.
Investigators reviewed security footage and reconstructed the youths’ movements through the mall before the confrontation. Police said two groups of two youths had moved through various areas of the mall before the incident.
Police said the first pair saw the second pair arrive in the food court and immediately began pursuing them. Following a brief foot chase, one of the youths in the second group produced what appeared to be a gun.
Police said people nearby sought shelter under tables and behind structures, with some adults shielding their children.
Police determined the incident began as a verbal altercation between the two groups before escalating into a violent confrontation. No injuries were reported to police at the time of the incident. However, witnesses reported hearing the airsoft pistol click multiple times.
During their review of security footage, investigators observed a woman clutching her arm and believe she may have been struck by a projectile. Police are asking the woman, as well as anyone else who may have been injured during the incident, to come forward.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the confrontation or captured it on cellphone video to contact police if they have not already done so.
The four youths, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are facing charges.
Two 14-year-old boys from Cardston are facing weapons-related charges, including carrying a concealed weapon and committing a common nuisance. One of the 14-year-olds also faces charges of using an imitation firearm, possessing an offensive weapon dangerous to the public and causing bodily harm with intent.
A 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, both from Lethbridge, are facing several charges, including uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, causing a disturbance and mischief — obstructing the lawful use of property.
All four youths have since been released under conditions that prohibit them from contacting one another, returning to the mall or possessing weapons. One of the 14-year-olds was also given a curfew requiring him to remain at his residence 24 hours a day, except to attend school or approved appointments.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Lethbridge police and reference file 26017199.
In a social-media post Friday, Park Place Mall officials credited the “rapid response of the Lethbridge Police Service” for defusing the situation quickly without needing to evacuate the building.
