Two individuals have been formally indicted following a shooting at the Arizona Mills mall in Tempe this past September, an incident that caused widespread alarm but fortunately resulted in no physical injuries. According to
FOX 10 Phoenix
, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reported the grand jury’s decision to indict 19-year-old Gabriel Garcia and 16-year-old Xavier Padilla on multiple felony charges.
The teenage Padilla, who is being charged as an adult, and Garcia face four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of endangerment, along with charges for disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm stemming from the scare at the popular shopping venue. The surveillance video captured from the scene relayed the chaos that ensued in the food court area where the incident took place. As shots were fired, mall employees and patrons were seen taking cover, scrambling for safety. “No one was hurt during the shooting,” notes
FOX 10 Phoenix
.
Providing additional details,
AZ Central
highlighted that the charges against Padilla include an additional count of a minor with a firearm, considered a Class 6 felony. This followed the September 13 event that led to quick police action and the evacuation of the mall as authorities sought the suspects.
The shooting apparently stemmed from a feud, as indicated by Maricopa County Superior Court documents. Despite the grave potential for harm, property damage was reported as minor. While Garcia and Padilla have been indicted, a third suspect, 22-year-old Marvin Hooks, was arrested on conspiracy charges though his case has not shown up in the court’s records, as per
AZ Central
. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Hooks’ indictment status or any pending criminal charges against he may face. A trial for Garcia and Padilla is tentatively scheduled for March 2025.
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