Mall shooter, victim likely strangers

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Santa Fe police continue their hunt for the man who shot and critically wounded a teenager outside the Santa Fe Place mall
Wednesday night.

Two women and a young girl walking to their car saw the fight and had to scramble for safety when the shot was fired.

Police do not think the shooter and the victim knew each other before the incident.

"I know some of the information we've been asked is, 'Is it gang-related; is it two opposing gangs?'" SFPD Deputy Chief

Aric Wheeler told KRQE News 13. "There is nothing that leads us down the path at this point."

Police described the suspect's vehicle as a red or burgundy Oldsmobile Cutlass with a white or cream top and looking almost like a low rider with small-rimmed wheels.

Today shoppers at the mall at Cerrillos and Rodeo roads said they would like to see extra security.

"Scared of getting mugged," Isabelle Corona said. "Other than that, if I am here early I look around to see if there is any security.

"I would like to see some more security.

While police said the shooting could have happened anywhere, they warned shoppers to be cautious. Santa Fe place mall is not a dangerous place to shop, they added.

The mall manager said over the phone the shooting is an isolated incident but added security patrols will be stepped up during Thanksgiving week.

This is the second shooting in a month at a Santa Fe mall. Officers with the Region III task force shot and killed a man they said tried to run them over after making a drug deal in a parking.

That happened at an outlet mall farther down Cerrillos Road near Interstate 25.