One person died and several went to the hospital after gunfire shattered the calm of the afternoon

MUSKOGEE, Okla. - A gun battle at Muskogee's Arrowhead Mall left one person dead and several injured Saturday.

Investigators say the gunfire killed Jarrod Reed, 17, of Muskogee.

Police received the call at 4:11 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Local officers and Muskogee County Sheriff's deputies immediately responded to the mall, located in downtown Muskogee.

Officers tell 2NEWS that the initial gunshots were fired near the mall's stage area. The gun battle then moved westward, ending near an art gallery.

Iesha Jones watched as paramedics tried to save her friend Jarrod's life after he was shot in the torso.

"All I see was them pumping his chest up and down," recalls Jones. "He just moved here from Tulsa and came down here for his friend's birthday and got shot."

Jones said she stayed at the hospital for hours with him, but Jarrod didn't make it.

"There was a lot of people at the wrong place at the wrong time, they got shot too," she says.
A Muskogee EMS spokesperson tells 2NEWS that five other people suffered gunshot wounds.

Muskogee Regional Medical Center spokesperson Laurie Hoog confirmed that the hospital recieved four victims injured during the shooting, including Reed, who had died before arriving.

Two other patients recieved treatment for gunshot wounds and were later released. The fourth patient is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive their injuries.

Brenna Hyslop, a nurse at Muskogee Community Hospital, said one person was brought to that facility with a hand wound suffered in the shooting. She said that person was treated and released on Saturday.

A 13-year-old girl caught in the crossfire was also Lifeflighted to a Tulsa hospital.

Detectives are investigating what they believe was a targeted killing and an incident of gang-related violence.

Officers are looking for three suspects connected to the shooting: 20-year-old Daniel Jermaine Anderson, a 5'8" black male weighing 150-160 pounds; 16-year-old Michael Mayberry, a 5'11" black male weighing 160 pounds; and 17-year-old Antone Nelson, a 5'8" black male weighing 135 pounds.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the US Marshals Service, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office are contributing to the attempt to apprehend the suspects.

Anderson has a warrant out for his arrest in connection to a drive-by shooting on April 3rd.

Police advised that many of the "same characters" involved in the April 3rd drive-by were also involved in the shooting at Arrowhead Mall, though they do not yet know if the two are connected.

The drive-by happened in front of Iesha Jones' house. She says her 17-year-old brother Kenneth was shot in the stomach and a 14 year-old-boy was shot in the back.

Jones drove them to the hospitsal. "I was screaming, the ride was hurting his back."

She says her brother knows the assailant from the April 3rd shooting. Police are trying to figure out if the drive-by targeted him and the teen.

They say gang violence is a problem in Muskogee.

Mayberry also has a warrant out for his arrest for assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the suspects should call the Muskogee Police Department at 918-680-8000 or Muskogee Crime Stoppers at 918-682-COPS (2677).

A spokesperson for the Arrowhead Mall tells 2NEWS that the mall will reopen for business on Monday. Mall management released the following statement Sunday afternoon:

"Saturday’s tragedy in our great city has been a shattering event for the entire community. Arrowhead Mall’s number one priority has been and will always be to ensure the safety and well-being of our shoppers and mall employees. We are extremely grateful for the quick response by local law enforcement agencies on this investigation. Arrowhead Mall is fully cooperating with law enforcement investigators and has provided information regarding this incident.

Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the victims of this tragedy and their loved ones. During this time, Arrowhead Mall is taking precautionary steps to provide additional security for our loyal shoppers and employees and reinforce our commitment for providing a safe and friendly shopping environment."

 

Even though Glennis Hopper wasn't at Arrowhead Mall when the shooting happened, she's still scared.

"There's other places to shop besides the mall," said Hopper. "From now on, I won't go there."

Mall officials say they plan to increase security. General manager Scott Stephenson would not give details, citing customer and employee security.

As terrifying as the shooting was, police say this is an isolated incident.

"Anybody can walk in carrying a gun anywhere," said Muskogee police spokesperson Cpl. Pedro Zardeneta. "You're not any safer at any other mall in the U.S. than in Muskogee's mall."

Investigators are looking into several leads, but until they have more answers, many people will question their security.