1 in custody, 1 hurt after shots fired at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, police say

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Shooting at Roosevelt Field Mall during attempted robbery
Stacey Sager reports from Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.

GARDEN CITY, Long Island -- Police in Nassau County said one person was shot during an attempted robbery inside the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island Tuesday afternoon.

The shooting happened at about 1 p.m. at the Rolex section in the Tourneau store, which is located on the mall's main level next to Macy's.

Police said one gunshot was fired during an attempted robbery, striking the back shoulder of a 67-year-old mall employee who was outside of the store at at the time.

One suspect was immediately taken into custody by mall security, police said. A gun was also recovered.

The victim is in serious but stable condition.

This is video from an Eyewitness News viewer, showing the police response in the parking lot:

According to reports on social media from people inside the mall at the time, people fled to exit the mall after the shooting.

This photo posted to social media showed people gathered in a parking garage:

Later Tuesday afternoon, the mall's owner, Simon Retail Group, issued a statement:

"The safety of our tenants and shoppers remains a priority at all times. Roosevelt Field has been deemed safe by Nassau County Police Department for shoppers and employees and remains open to the public, with the exception of the area near the crime scene, as directed by Nassau County PD."

Police said the mall was never evacuated and never closed, although parts of the mall were cleared out or put on lockdown for a short period.

Garden City schools said all schools were placed in lockout mode, with no entrance to any school being permitted during the ordeal.

The Roosevelt Field Mall is located on Old Country Road in Garden City in Nassau County.