http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php? ... llstabbing

Gang-related? Hmm ... And, dangnabit, when it's not even safe at the mall!!

1 dead in Tucson Mall stabbing
Police still searching for the suspect in what is considered to be a gang-related incident.
HEIDI ROWLEY
Tucson Citizen

Police this morning were still looking for the suspect in a fatal stabbing at Tucson Mall last night.

At about 7:45 p.m., a stabbing was reported in the northwest parking lot of the mall, near Dillard's, in the 4500 block of North Oracle Road. The suspect ran away, possibly into the mall, prompting police to lock down the mall, police Sgt. Kerry Fuller said.

Officers from the Police Department and deputies from the Pima County Sheriff's Department were on the scene within minutes, blocking exits and keeping cars from leaving.

Businesses were forced to close, and for several hours after the lockdown police searched every car leaving the mall and each store. Several police dogs were used in the search and a helicopter circled above.

Fuller said the lockdown forced people inside the mall to go through specific exits so nobody could leave without police noticing.

Fuller said the stabbing victim was taken to a hospital and died soon after. His name and age had not been released as of this morning.

She said the gang unit was called in to investigate because a witness heard shouts between the suspect and the victim that indicated gang affiliation or involvement.

She did not know which gang or gangs may have been involved. Fuller said friends of one or both of the participants in the fight may have been present. They could be witnesses or suspects in the case.

The stabbing was not a random act, and the victim was targeted, Fuller said, attempting to put at ease the concerns of those who may frequent the mall regularly.

A description of the suspect has not been released.