Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include statements from Mayor Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell in response to the stabbing.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A teenager was stabbed after a fight broke out at the Fashion Fair Mall on Saturday night, according to the Fresno Police Department.
After reports that someone might have been stabbed, officers were dispatched to Shaw Avenue and First Street around 6:20 PM.
Officers arrived and found a teenager suffering from non-life-threatening stab injuries.
Photo taken at the Fashion Fair Mall on Saturday night.
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The boy was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Officers were investigating when they discovered that a fight had brokenout between 12-15 people at the mall near a JCPenney. Officials believe the victim was stabbed somewhere in the fight.
Shortly after, officers received a call from a police officer about another teenager who was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Officials aren’t certain if the second teen was stabbed at the mall fight.
Officers state that they have taken a man into police custody for the stabbing. But they are investigating to see whether he was the aggressor, or if it was him defending himself.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer issued a statement in response to the stabbing.
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The latest stabbing at Fashion Fair Mall is a disturbing sign of the rise in violence. People should be able shop and not be worried about these types of incidents.
Mayor Jerry Dyer
The mayor went on to say that he has been speaking with Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama, who is ‘taking steps to increase the presence of police officers both inside and outside of the mall.”
Photo taken at the Fashion Fair Mall on Saturday night.
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Mayor Dyer said he will meet with Chief Balderrama, Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell to discuss security and create a safety plan.
Maxwell, Councilmember representing the Fashion Fair Mall district, said in his own statement that he will continue to push for the police department’s return to the mall with bicycle patrol units.
“Serious policy and security changes must be met immediately,”Maxwell wrote. “Our communities safety remains my top priority and we will continue to work to ensure families feel safe in the area.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked call Fresno Police Department (559) 621-7001
