'There's a shooter!' Man with bricks causes stampede, chaos at Roosevelt Field Mall
Garden City, N.Y.: Aerial drone photo of Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York taken on October 23, 2021. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)
LONG ISLAND - A fight at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island Friday evening caused hundreds of patrons to flee in a panic, according to police.
Officials said they responded to reports of a fight at the mall in East Garden City when they found Christopher Santana, 22, carrying several bricks.
One woman, who was at the mall with her mother, described the chaos to FOX 5 NY's Adeja Shivonne. "It sounded like a herd of cattle, accompanied by loud screams," she said. She says she saw hundreds of people yelling and running toward them, shouting, "there’s a shooter!"
Garden City, N.Y.: Shoppers fill the walkways and storefronts of the Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall for Black Friday shopping event on November 24, 2023 in Garden City, New York. (Photo by Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
"Without hesitation, I told my mom to run into the nearest store," the woman said. She explained that they made it inside just seconds before a stampede surged through the area.
She says her mother was knocked to the ground in the commotion, but that they managed to escape to the parking lot. "It was terrifying to witness people running, knocking others down, and trampling on them," she added.
When officers attempted to arrest Santana, they said he became combative, spitting and biting officers. One officer suffered an injury to his left hand and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Christopher Santana, 22 is charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree and Disorderly Conduct. (NYPD)
Santana has been charged with assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and disorderly conduct.
Police have not revealed whether Santana was targeting anyone or if he was carrying additional weapons. The investigation remains ongoing.
Santana is scheduled to be arraigned Saturday in Hempstead.