Ross Park Mall beefing up security with cameras, K9 unit after gunfire erupts

A day after the Allegheny County district attorney criticized operators of the Ross Park Mall for not having surveillance cameras, company officials said they will take steps to beef up security.

The Allegheny County district attorney said the mall’s owners, Simon Properties Group, could do more to help prevent incidents, like the fight Saturday that led to gunfire, if security cameras were installed.

“The best deterrent to criminal activity is knowing that you’ll be seen and subsequently knowing that you’ll be caught,” District Attorney Stephen Zappala told the Trib in an email Tuesday. “I have asked (mall owners) Simon Properties to do what I believe is the right thing by installing cameras, and they have told me no.”

Officials with Indianapolis-based Simon Property officials wrote in an email today that the company already does a good job of maintaining security in its facilities but “as an additional measure, we will soon begin the process of securing CCTV cameras at Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village. We are also implementing a weapons detection K9 program to enhance interior patrols at Ross Park Mall.”

Mall officials said the safety of its shoppers and retailers is its “top priority.”

“We have extensive proactive and preventative security programs and measures, including utilizing off duty police officers and a private security force that actively patrol the interior and exterior of the shopping center, along with working closely with local law enforcement and retailers to prepare for potential emergencies.

“These programs have allowed us to achieve Homeland Department of Security safety certification,” company officials wrote.

Two teenagers involved in the May 29 fight have been charged with illegally possessing firearms and other related crimes, according to authorities.

The fight, which involved as many as six people on the mall’s second floor near Guest Services, was reported about 4:30 p.m., according to Allegheny County 911.

The mall was placed on lockdown, and shoppers were escorted to safety as SWAT officers swarmed the building.

Three guns were recovered by police. No injuries were reported.

Ross police Detective Brian Kohlhepp said witnesses told investigators that they saw guns pulled during the fight and heard gunshots.

Kohlhepp said two 17-year-old males were taken into custody and transported to Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.

They are being charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a person younger than 21 along with other gun-related crimes and charges connected to the incident, the detective said.

The teens, however, won’t be charged with firing the guns because none of the witnesses saw the firearms being discharged.

The detective said piecing together what happened is difficult because of the lack of security cameras at the mall, forcing investigators to rely on snippets of video captured on cellphones as shoppers fled from the scene.

“We’re still investigating and hope a witness will come forward who actually saw the guns being fired so we can add that charge,” Kohlhepp said.

Information about the incident can be reported directly to Ross police at 412-931-9070.