HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-23 - Disorderly Shoe Buyers at Westfield Southcenter Mall
Police Department
For Immediate Distribution
Type of Incident:
Location:
Date /Time Occurred
Press Contact
Disorderly Shoe Buyers
Southcenter Mall
12/23/11 0200 -0600
Mike Murphy
Case Number: 11 -8623
Phone Number: 423 -0761
Description of Incident
Distribution:
Local Media
Mayor's Office
City Administrator
City Clerk's Office
Council Analyst
PD Administration
PD Supervisors
PD Records
Starting at about 2:00 AM today, a large crowd gathered to buy Air Jordan shoes that
were to go on sale at four stores in Southcenter Mall this morning. As the crowd
increased, fights broke out as people tried to cut in line. The crowd swelled to over
1,000 people (one report estimated the crowd at 2,000 people). The situation continued
to degrade. Tukwila Police called for mutual aid; officers from Kent, Renton, Des
Moines, King County, and Seattle responded to assist.
Two mall doors were broken by unruly people trying to gain entry to the mall. Officers
used pepper spray to disrupt fights in the crowd. One officer was punched by an 18
year -old man; that man was arrested and taken to jail. The officer was uninjured. Once
additional police were on scene, the crowd waited without further violence. Empty
alcohol bottles were found and officers smelled marijuana on some people as they
passed.
By about 6:00 the shoes were sold out and the mall returned to normal.
A large crowd of shoppers is expected in the Tukwila retail areas over the next few
days. Visitors are encouraged to be patient and to anticipate potential waits in traffic
and parking lots.
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Michael Villa, Chief of Police