HOUSTON – Houston police said a suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting outside the Galleria over the weekend.
Deon Darrelle Henderson, 25, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon, HPD said.
While announcing an arrest earlier in the day on Wednesday, Chief Troy Finner said the incident was gang-related, not random.
“It’s a few individuals that had beef for, going on for a while, and they took it out right there,” Finner said.
According to investigators, a 28-year-old man was shot in the leg last Saturday. Police said the victim was taken to the hospital where he remains in stable condition.
A police spokesman also said a video posted on Twitter that shows the shooting is part of the investigation.
“It’s unfortunate that a place that’s supposed to be safe, where lots of family and friends come, that you have to worry about things like that,” said Samantha Smolik, a mall visitor.
Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke about the incident while discussing safety at shopping centers.
“The Galleria will be safe for anybody who wants to go and shop there,” Turner said. “Me and my family will be going there very, very soon.”
The Galleria shared the following statement:
“The Galleria takes seriously its role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for its shoppers and work environment for its employees and tenants. Our security program is extensive and contains numerous measures designed to deter crime and respond quickly to incidents. That includes a large security patrol comprised of Houston Police Department, private security and K9 weapons detection, along with ample surveillance throughout the property. Stopping crime is the joint responsibility of elected officials, the police department, businesses and citizens, and we remain committed to doing our part. We are grateful for the city of Houston, Houston Police Department and their officers’ support and quick arrest in this case.”