14-year-old female shot in Alderwood Mall food court altercation

LYNNWOOD, Wash., July 3, 2024—A fourteen-year-old girl was transported to a nearby hospital after being shot at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood Wednesday evening.

There was an altercation around 6:04 pm on July 3 between two groups of teenagers in the Alderwood Mall food court at which point one teenaged male withdrew a handgun and fired a single round.

Unfortunately an innocent, uninvolved, 14-year-old girl was hit by the bullet.

Police Officers believe there were four to five teenagers involved in the initial altercation, including the suspect.

Every LPD officer in the area responded with assistance by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and Mountlake Terrace PD. K-9 units and helicopter assistance were also provided.

The mall was evacuated and put on lockdown. LPD posted on their twitter around 7:17 pm to avoid the Alderwall Mall area.

The suspect is still at large and is believed to be armed. He was identified using the mall’s surveillance cameras as being a Black male in his teens (15-19) wearing a white sweatshirt with black lettering, black pants, white shoes, and a large afro.

As this is still an ongoing investigation the LPD could not provide any more information at this time. They also do not know whether the altercation was gang-related or what make, model, or caliber the firearm used in the incident was. They have not acquired the firearm.

The mall is no longer in lockdown as of 7:48 pm

Commander Patrick Fagen told the Lynnwood Times he cannot recall another shooting taking place at the mall through his entire career with the Lynnwood Police Department.

The LPD encourages anyone who witnessed the altercation, or have any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect, to contact 911.

This is a developing story please check back as more information is available.