SAN MATEO — Four 16-year-old boys were in juvenile hall Thursday after their arrests in connection with an injury shooting at a mall, authorities said.
In a statement, police said officers responded at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday to Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., after receiving calls reporting a shooting.
When officers arrived, they were directed to a store’s parking lot where a 20-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound was surrounded by bystanders.
After providing emergency life-saving measures, officers cleared the crowd so that paramedics could take him to a hospital, where he was later listed in critical but stable condition and expected to survive.
Investigators soon learned that several people had fled the parking lot just after the shooting, and worked with witnesses to gather information, including mall surveillance camera footage, that helped detectives identify suspects.
Four teens were arrested Thursday and were held in Hillcrest Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a firearm, attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime, police said.
Soon after, detectives joined Belmont police officers and deputies with the county sheriff’s narcotics task force and gang intelligence unit to serve warrants at several addresses, yielding evidence in the shooting.
Although police said there was no ongoing threat to the public, investigators are still seeking other possible suspects and related crimes.
Anyone with information who was at the mall between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday may call San Mateo police Det. Sgt. Paul Pak at 650-522-7660 or e-mail ppak@cityofsanmateo.org.
Staff writer Jason Green contributed to this report. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com