This outbreak of violence comes at the busiest shopping time of the year as everyone is getting ready for Christmas.
The shooting took place about 7:30 p.m. when the mall was packed with people. Police say it appears to be an isolated incident which is possibly gang related.
Reports are that a man and woman were leaving JCPenney when they noticed three or four Hispanic men wearing red clothing get into a car. The vehicle then began to slowly follow them around the parking lot. The driver allegedly got so close he brushed the woman with his vehicle, which caused the man she was with to yell at the driver smash out one of his windows.
The driver then jumped out and fired one single shot into the man’s foot. As the victim bent down, the suspect followed up by pistol whipping the side of his head which gave him a good size cut. The suspect then drove away.
Priority number one for police is to locate the suspect’s car. The department utilized its helicopter to try and track the vehicle. Meanwhile, detectives looked at surveillance video captured by the mall’s camera system.
The victim is from Madera and claims to be a former gang member. He told police he believes the man who shot him is a bulldog gang member.
Police are looking for help from witnesses. If you know anything that can help solve this case, call valley crime stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).