GLENDALE, Ariz. – A teen suspect was arrested Saturday and charged in connection with a shooting incident at the Tanger Outlets in Glendale, Arizona where four victims and the shooter were injured on Wednesday, officials said.
The unidentified 17-year-old male was taken into custody after he was treated at a hospital, according to a statement from the Glendale Police Department, AZCentral reported.
Although two of the victims — another teen and a woman — have been discharged from the hospital, a 4-year-old remains hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.
According to the Glendale Police Department, the shooting originated during an argument between the 17-year-old suspect and two other teens, 15 and 16, around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, Fox News reported.
The teens knew each other prior to the shooting, police said.
The 17-year-old perpetrator reportedly discharged the weapon during his clash with the other teens, Glendale Officer Tiffany Ngalula said during a press conference on Thursday.
The 15-year-old returned fire with his own gun, striking the 17-year-old suspect who fired first, but also striking a 27-year-old woman and her 4-year-old child.
Police officers in Glendale, Arizona cleared a shopping mall store-by-store following a shooting Wednesday that injured four people, including a 4-year-old boy who is in critical condition. (Glendale Police Department)
Identities of the involved parties have not been released.
Since the 17-year-old suspect was identified as the “primary aggressor” he faces several felony charges, which include three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, four counts of felony endangerment, two counts of misconduct involving a deadly weapon (one count for age and one count for prior felony conviction), and one count of criminal damage, AZ Central reported.
It was unclear if the 15-year-old who returned fire will face charges.
According to the news outlet, the 17-year-old suspect is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond. He is charged as an adult.
