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Crossgates Mall in Guilderland is facing a lawsuit after a shooting incident nearly three years ago left a teenager injured. The incident occurred on April 10, 2022, when shots were fired outside the Best Buy store at the mall. Mackenzie Barnes, who was 17 at the time, was hit in the hand by a stray bullet. She is now suing the mall, alleging that it failed to ensure the safety of its patrons.
According to the lawsuit filed in Albany County Supreme Court, Barnes claims that Crossgates Mall was aware of a pattern of dangerous conduct on the property but did not take adequate measures to address it or warn shoppers. The lawsuit accuses the mall of inadequate security and negligence in allowing a hazardous environment to persist. Barnes is seeking damages that exceed the monetary limits of lower New York State Courts.
The shooting incident involved a 16-year-old who fired a handgun at another group of people, and Barnes was caught in the crossfire. The shooter, Devon Beckles, was later arrested and sentenced to three and a half years in state prison after pleading guilty to attempted assault, as reported by the Times Union.
This is not the first instance of gun violence at Crossgates Mall. Previous incidents include a shooting outside the Apple store in 2016 and shots fired outside Foot Locker in 2020. Concerns about mall security have been raised in the past, leading to the implementation of a curfew for minors in December 2021.
As of now, a spokesperson for Crossgates Mall has not commented on the lawsuit, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.