Mall Shooting Dampens Revitalization Hopes
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DALLAS (CBS11) — Investigators said despite being shot multiple times, the victim of the shooting at Southwest Center Mall is expected to survive. Ty Justice, a barber at SW Style inside the mall, said he can't say the same for his barber shop.
A man was rushed to the hospital in serious condition after being shot in the mall parking lot Saturday morning. Witnesses said the victim ran into the mall after being shot — along with two suspects. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived.
"That's why I was saying, 'Don't kill us,'" Justice said. "That's bad press, and we are trying to get more businesses in here to revitalize the community. It's on a lifeline right now."
Justice said he had been so optimistic recently about the future of his business. Just days ago, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings announced new ownership of the struggling mall.
Private equity investor Peter Brodsky plans to redevelop the mall with help from the city's Office of Economic Development. Community leaders are optimistic, hoping this attempt to revitalize the mall will be different from other recent attempts that failed.
However, Justice said he worries Saturday's shooting along with other crimes at and near the mall will keep businesses and investors away.
"I'm hoping that it won't have too big of an effect on it," he said. "But I know it will. [Saturday] didn't help at all. [It] was a huge disgrace — a slap in the face."
Revitalizing Southwest Center Mall is a key component to the city's Grow South initiative and a high priority for the mayor.
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