Following the shooting that took place last Wednesday, January 19 at the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo County, which left one man wounded in the parking lot, the San Mateo Police Department (SMPD) reported that after a quick investigation, four men were linked to the case, all of them just 16 years old.
On Wednesday, January 19th at 5:34 pm, the San Mateo Police Department received several calls indicating that someone had been shot at the Hillsdale Mall.
When officers arrived on scene, they were directed to the front of the Macy's store and taken to the adjacent parking lot, where they located a 20-year-old San Mateo man suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers immediately provided first aid and crowd control until medics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma center for treatment. He is currently in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive, authorities said in a statement released Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
During the initial investigation, it was determined that the victim was shot in the parking lot and the suspects fled prior to police arrival.
Multiple witnesses were able to provide officers with descriptions of possible individuals involved.
"In addition to witness statements, the parking lot was processed for evidence and we worked closely with Hillsdale Mall to obtain security footage," SMPD said.
He also noted that, with quick and efficient work, detectives were able to identify several people related to the incident.
“Their investigation led to the arrest of four juveniles today. Search warrants were drawn up and SMPD detectives/officers, with the assistance of the Belmont Police Department and the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force (NTF) and Gang Intelligence Unit (GIU), were able to execute the warrants and locate evidence linking all four to this incident,” he said.
The juveniles were booked into the Hillcrest Juvenile Detention Center on various charges.
The investigation is ongoing as motive, possible additional suspects and any associated crimes are still being investigated.
In light of the incident, SMPD is asking anyone who was at the Hillsdale Mall on Wednesday, January 19 between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and who believes they may have information that could be helpful to the investigation to contact San Mateo Police Detective Sergeant Paul Pak at (650) 522-7660 or email: ppak@ciudaddesanmateo.org.
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