![The shooting happened around 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, outside the Antelope Valley Mall in the 1200 block of West Rancho Vista Boulevard in Palmdale. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]](https://theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AV-Mall-shooting.jpg)
The shooting happened around 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, in the 1200 block of West Rancho Vista Boulevard, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Responding deputies found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds.
Multiple witnesses said the victim was arguing with a man who pulled out a gun and shot him. The gunman then fled the scene, according to the sheriff’s department.
The victim was transported to a hospital and listed in stable condition, according to the sheriff’s department.
The suspect’s description and his vehicle description were distributed to other sheriff’s stations. Deputies from Lancaster later located the suspect and placed him under arrest in the Stater Brother’s grocery store parking lot in the 2800 block of West Avenue L, according to the sheriff’s department.
The man was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and was being held in lieu of $1 million in bail, according to the department. His name was not immediately released by authorities.
Witnesses at the scene claimed the argument that triggered the shooting was apparently over two females. A witness who did not want to be identified said he was sitting in front of the mall when three young men and two young women walked up. Then an older man drove by and called out to the women, the witness said, prompting the trio to approach the older man’s car. The older man stepped out of his vehicle and argued with the group before getting back into his car and driving away, according to the witness. But the man came back, triggering another argument, the witness said. The man reached into his car, grabbed a gun, shot one of the men twice and drove off again, the witness claimed.
The witness’s account could not be confirmed with the sheriff’s department.
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Matt K. says
In the 1990s and early 2000s, both Lancaster and Palmdale got greedy with development money, but Lancaster was the worst offender of the two.
The Republican mindset that prevailed at the time was “build, build, build!!! and make tons of money buying and selling property to builders at the expense of the community!” Again, both cities were guilty, but Lancaster was far worse!
The Republicans at both city halls didn’t think twice and ever wonder about a Recession and what effect that would have, they just kept buying, selling and issuing building permits.
Lancaster issued tons of housing track permits, which also caused a sharp depreciation in home values on the north side of Avenue M. On the other hand, homes in Palmdale retained there value because things were planned a little better.
I hope BOTH cities can learn from the absolute DISASTER that characterized the years between 2005 and 2015, when the economy crashed and the glut of available homes drew some unsavory renters up to our valley.
Going forward, it would be nice to see better planning involved, more thought put into construction of newer housing tracts, more ecologically-friendly landscaping, HOAs for all new tracts, implementation of a “build only as needed” approach and better marketing.
The Antelope Valley won’t ever be a “small town”, like it was in the 1970s and 1980s. If that’s what you want, then you should move to Tehachapi or Rosamond! But with better planning and a more positive approach to community planning, the A.V. can possible become a decent place to live and attract a better class of people.
Santa Clarita wasn’t always a nice place to live either. In the 1970s all the way through the early 1990s, it was drug-ridden, crime-infested and very undesirable in many aspects. It took good planning and many changes in local thinking there to get it to where it is today.
Tim Scott says
Accurate. Add in that the city budgets during that period were built on the developer fees that one would think they’d have known couldn’t last.
I’ve been getting to know people in the city government in Palmdale and they seem to have learned the necessary lessons. Definitely a better effect than the abusive arrogance on display at Lancaster City Hall the last time I was there.
Jay W. says
This town is a sewer.. Never going to get any better.. Ran over with Section 8 homes and EBT cards. But somehow people on here like to complain about the deputies out here.. The deputies in this trash can AV definitely have the worst job in the state, they are overworked , outnumbered and outgunned..
Tim Scott says
For being “outgunned” they sure seem to find plenty of unarmed people to shoot.
Gladys says
Really? White privilege?
realitycheck says
Dirtbag on dirtbag crime here. No taxpayers involved. If it wasn’t for the fact he could’ve missed and hit an innocent bystander, I wouldn’t care if these losers kill each other. Great job by the witnesses who cared to get involved, and by Lancaster and Palmdale deps for tracking down the scumbag shooter!
Joe says
How come no description of the perp? The AV Press had the description.
Tim Scott says
Because he was already in custody so no one needed to be on the lookout for him? Just a guess.
Joe says
Good guess. And besides, descriptions are racist anyway.
KathyR says
Racist? How would you describe the suspect without including race (white, Asian, Hispanic, black etc). Stupid.
Gladys says
I have never understood how that would be racist. When you describe the sky…it’s blue. A car is red, why can’t a person be described including skin color or how their features look? I really don’t understand how it is racist or profiling. It seems like it would immediately eliminate a lot of suspects.
Joe says
White privilege much?
Tim Scott says
Problem is that there are any number of examples where the suspect casually described as “black,” when a photo shows up is lighter than some of my well tanned friends. Or the photo turns up of the “Hispanic” that has three northern European grandparents so even though his last name ends in -ez he looks more like a Swede.
When race is included as description and it would actually help the suspect walk right past most people one has to wonder what the point of including it is. But the general consensus on what the point is is this:
By putting out “look for a black suspect” with no additional detail you justify treating EVERY black person as a suspect. Our cops have a history of “hey you, we’re pulling you up because we’re looking for a black guy” fishing expeditions.
Mike says
Ah Timmy, you can twist anything around into a screed against law enforcement.
Yes, for the sake of political correctness, let’s not include race in suspect descriptions. Or gender either – they may be a transvestite. Or height or weight – they might be sensitive about those subjects. Or the type of clothing – it would be a judgment on their fashion sensibility. Or the type of car they’re driving – maybe it’s all they can afford.
The lib mindset is so anti-common sense and disconnected from reality it’s amazing they can operate in the real world at all.
Gladys says
I am not suggesting anyone say black or white. I am saying, when you describe a specific person, their height, approx weight, approx age, hair color, facial hair, visible tattoos, why can’t it include whether they are obviously light skin or dark skin or medium skin. Not suggesting anyone guess what race someone is. We are all of the human race.
White privilege much? What was that suppose to mean? Ya got a chip on your shoulder?
Tim Scott says
LOL I notice that in your “rebuttal” to my point you used a little name calling, some personal attack…and absolutely nothing that actually challenged the point made in any way. No surprises there.
Just keep on attacking there commando. Whatever makes you feel good.
realitycheck says
@Mike-We can always count on Timmy for another ignorant comment. Despite excellent police work by our local cops, Timmy still complains about “fishing expeditions.” Quick education for Timmy: most of the time, the race released by the cops is what the WITNESSES TOLD THEM.
Timmy wants the cops stopping Asian guys right after a robbery where all witnesses described the crooks as black, just so its “fair.”
lifter says
Click on the link(sheriffs information)in the article,victim and perp are described.
Stacee says
They weren’t going to let the public know what kind of car it was. Although I was at stater brothers when he was arrested he was in a grey dodge magnum and about 7 cop cars around it. They don’t ever let the public know what there looking for
Winbush says
There is no man or woman worth getting into it over seriously people need to grow up and use common sense
SurvivorSiblingOfBroMurdered@AVMall7.5.94 says
Leaving what I posted on the AV Times thread regarding my 16yo brother’s murder at the AV Mall in 1994 here to lend insight as to how surviving members of gun violence live: My 16yo brother was murdered at the AV Mall in 1994 over a parking space by a guy in his 30s who was going around shooting youths in the AV; he admitted in court to using my big bro as target practice, to never having met him. The waste of a human space admitted in front of my mother to taking my bro’s life for fun. No my brother wasn’t a gang member nor was he driving the car. Him and the guys were picking up my other sibling to go to Magic Mountain since both my siblings worked at restaurants, both had the day off July 5, the day my bro was murdered. The mall has security vehicles patrolling since then. I was only 11, I remember everything not only due to the tragic nature and my age but in part due to high functioning ASD. Reading headlines like this in the AV brings my PTSD in full swing. I hope my mom and the rest of my family doesn’t hear of this.
Shootings and crimes happen everywhere in the world. We can’t escape them unfortunately. I used to go out freely on my walks or take the bus around town just a few years ago. Now every time I do go out, I do not feel too safe. Nothing has happened to me. I get the creepy stalker staring at me vibe. Or too many people meandering around bothering people in West Palmdale places that used to be nice to visit. In spite of my brother’s murder, I used to move around town using the bus (I have disabilities preventing me from driving). Even after my family’s tragic loss, I was still allowed to be on my own. Now not so much.
As for this shooting, I’d ask both of the males if their fight was so worth it that one of you had to nearly shoot each other. Thank goodness both of you are alive and well. One of you will be in jail now but hey you’re alive. It’s not worth the effort fighting over a parking space or a girl/guy to be shot over. Don’t act like idiots. If you do feel the need then please use your fists next time shall this conflict continue. If you’d like insight as to how being a gun violence survivor affects you permanently we are closer than you think. I don’t know how I’ve survived almost 22 long, hellish years without my big brother. I miss him every single day. When I wake up sometimes I think he’s here then I realize he isn’t. It’ll always feel like yesterday until the end of my days. I did great things for him like graduate university for him as he never got to even finish high school. I’m still doing great things for him. Here’s an example! http://www.gofundme.com/KiwiBroCrew I know it comes off as not so nice of my to share my campaign page after a shooting. Keep in mind I’ve shared for viewing purposes only. This is what I’m quietly doing for my cool as big bro.
Bbailey says
It’s terrible that nowadays angry and upset people anywhere, not just in the AV, think to solve their issues they have to resort to assault, attempted murder, worse, murder
Fredsaidit96 says
What do u think would happen if there were no police, there would be results like this all the time.
Deborah Smith says
The same types of gun nuts who are right-wing and agitated that we have a Black President have allowed themselves to hate all people who aren’t just like them (mostly angry white guys). I am ashamed I am from Palmdale. The only thing that saved me so I could have a life well-lived was to get the hell out of that place. Lancaster mayor is also a bigot and has done what he can to rid Lancaster of the “low-life” people living in publicly subsidized housing. Jerry Brown didn’t send those people to the AV, being in the poor house at the expense of the uber rich did. Get a grip people, you sound like Cliven Bundy, and you know where he is now! Stop listening to fox news, limbaugh and all the other racists like McConnell and all the tea partiers! Otherwise you will stay in the anti-intellectual cult of evangelicals who basically are white supremicists. Fight change because you think you are justified! You all disgust me!
Cattie says
Its not just the angry white guys. Its the capitalist politicians who lead us by example. The ones who think everything can be solved via cruise missile, drone attack or invasion to plunder countries for their resources. They have never seen a problem that can’t be solved by violence. This is the example that we have as citizens. Is it any wonder, that regular people choose to emulate big brother and shoot first. No, its not. We need to vote out all of these people and restore sanity.
Otherwise, yea everything you said is right on. Thanks, sis.
Bernie, 2016.
Tim Scott says
Palmdale has gotten a lot better over the past decade or two. What you said would have been glaringly true before, but there has been progress and we hope for more.
Lancaster is perhaps a lost cause, but it was always a pit of hatefulness so no great surprise there.
North_County says
Yes Tim – Because the dark storm clouds and eerie foreboding soundtrack magically transform into a beautiful and perfect sun drenched morning sky, riddled with bright rainbows complete with a happy feel good soundtrack the moment one steps foot south of Ave M (or Columbia Way, depending on ones point of view) into Palmdale from the dreaded city to the north, Lancaster.
I appreciate your deluded and comical observation on the vast differences between the cities, but you might want to euthanize that herd of imaginary unicorns that gallop around the city of Palmdale, or at the very least, the ones that roam freely about in the vast empty plains of your mind, because despite the recent headlines that paint Palmdale as this great desert utopia, it’s a sad reality that both cities share anchor duties as the entire AV is a convenient cesspool for the rest of LA County – I see Lancaster being no worse than Palmdale, and certain crime ridden areas in both cities would definitely be locked in a tie as far as quality of life issues.
Tim, maybe what Lancaster needs is for you to run for Mayor and Sheriff so we can finally modernize and become more like our perfect sibling to the south – Palmdale; and you can finally make a worthy carbon footprint in life as well as the political and law enforcement arenas. Added bonus: You can immediately ground and disband LEAPS – I wouldn’t vote for you of course, because I think you were exposed to far too many chemtrails over the years, but you never know. The rest of the AV might warm up to your open minded and rational take on pretty much life in general. Good luck. Tim for the win.
Wrong Side of the Valley says
North_County:
If you can’t tell the difference between Palmdale and Lancaster, you either don’t live here or you are one of Raymond’s paid scribes. Live here a while and you’ll see and experience the vast difference. People in Palmdale are not subject to the whims and wild thoughts of a former drug dealer/user who thinks bird sounds and spy planes will bring his crony empire into crime free bliss. Palmdalians are free to speak their minds without business retribution. In Lancaster, the homeless are blamed for rising crime; in Palmdale, the crime rate trends downward.
Tim would be an improvement over what we have running the show in Lancaster.
Tim Scott says
Thanks for handling that. I might have gotten bogged down by the usual inclusion of personal attacks on me and lost track of the point.
To amplify…the government most responsible for living conditions day to day is LOCAL government. Palmdale has a very effective local government. Lancaster is run by a “band of brothers” interested in nothing other than how much they can loot from the place before they leave. The effects are glaringly obvious.
Wrong Side of the Valley says
Not a problem, Tim. My pleasure. It’s always enjoyable to spot and call out a Parrisite. They’re so easy. Why they follow such a twisted and corrupted man is beyond reasonable thought. Is it the “honor” of being put on one of his meaningless commissions? The hope of being recognized in some insignificant way? Or maybe the money? You would have to be pretty hard up financially to sell your soul and defend that oddball.
valleygirl says
As if the AV wasn’t already a dangerous place in which to live, it’s now proven unsafe to be anywhere near the mall after dark. Bogus. How about cleaning up the trash Jerry Brown has thrown into the AV?
Deborah Smith says
obviiously you need to live on a planet with only people like yourself.
Just Saying says
She thinks Jerry Brown invented section 8 and released it only to AV. She lives in a tiny little world to not know section 8 is a nationwide program.
William says
Don’t be so hard on yourself, valleygirl.
Mary says
Thank you to the witness(s) who helped give vehicle description, thank you to the police officers for apprehending the suspect quickly. I wish the victim a swift recovery from his wounds. Thankful no one else got hurt! So scary! I shop with my baby often at Carters/Osh Kosh. Maybe I will continue to do my shopping online instead bc things are getting scary out in public places today. AV is not the only place bad senseless things happen it’s every where, no one is immune to violence or tragedy. Scary times we are living in.
Fredsaidit96 says
Your weird I doubt you know anything about tragedy and violence, but probably not it seems you couldn’t defend yourself if it came down to it
Tim Scott says
In the absence of cold steel courage this would have been a petty little dispute meriting no notice whatsoever.
Clearly, more people should be armed at all times just to keep things interesting.
Cali Palmdale says
Tim really only people that know how to handle a gun and use it for a life threating situation only or to restrain someone and don’t have a Ghetto mentality or any criminal history should be able to carry a fire arm . Now you want to arm all you criminal friends?
U Betcha says
Not a problem. They are already armed.
Valeria Garcia says
lol
Jeremiah says
If more people were armed, there would be less victims and more dead offenders, less incarcerated, which leads to fewer tax Dolores used ok the prison system, which leaves more money for education to train kids how to use a firearm. Back when our grandparents were in school they had gun club, how many shootings happened at there school? They didn’t. It’s time Los Angeles county follows suit with the rest of the nation and starts actually issuing concealed carry permits so we can protect ourselves from these criminals.
jackboerboel says
Back then we had less people in our area….
Nonsense says
@Jeremiah
Weapons permits? Ok, only if Hispanics and African-Americans get the exact same look and treatment as White Folks when carrying weapons. LOL, yeah right! My husband and brother in law just attended a gun show, both served for over two decades in the military and you should have seen the gringos going crazy and whispering about their attendance, they caused Hispanic Panic alright!
Laughing says
Reminds me of Blazing Saddles
Social Experiment says
@nonsense
Gringos! Really, Gringos! Shut up Chola! Stop being part of the problem. So how do you feel now?
Nonsense says
@Social Experiment
First and foremost the term “Gringos” is a non-derogatory term used to name a Caucasian. My father proudly called himself a “Gringo” in front of my mother’s family as his full name and our last name was quite difficult to pronounce. A “chola” on the other hand is offensive, but it is ok because I am certain I am better educated than you and one day your ancestors will provide shoeshine services for mine. You, dear Social Experiment should use the alias “excremento”.
Jim says
Uh, I think he was using sarcasm there.
Tim Scott says
I didn’t intend it to be subtle, but things do slip by Cali.
Fredsaidit96 says
Most of you on here would die without people to stand up for u, perfect example the movie purge most of u would’ve been posting right now if that was really
Adam says
If everyone was able to have a concealed permit from what I see it would be 5 guns against 1, in this situation and the shooter would think twice before pulling out a gun. Before that both parties would think twice before confronting someone knowing that everyone could carry legally and concealed. As U Betcha has stated he and his friends already carry so why not let regular citizen carry and protect themselves.
Cattie says
“The way to solve gun violence is more guns.”
Thats the most stupid thing I’ve read in a long time. Right out of the NRA playbook. We know your agenda and its all about more gun sales and more dead bodies. No thanks. You can actually move somewhere that wants to emulate the wild wild west of day gone by. Its called Texas. Vaya con dios.
AVHome says
Your President has done more for gun sales than any other business. So yeah, if a legal American can qualify to buy a gun, Cowboy Up!