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| - I've been meaning to review this mall recently after reading many bad reviews. Sadly I have to do it after being present during the Macy's shooting this evening!
I was in the crowded mall for a couple hrs prior to the senseless act of violence that occurred in Macy's. I was with my lady friend and her 3yo daughter just doing some shopping and spending time together as we often do there. To wrap up our trip, we let her kid run around and play in the children's area directly in front of Macy's for about 30min. We then stopped for pretzels and drinks at the adjacent Auntie Anne's. We took our food to a nearby empty bench just feet from and alongside the wall to the Macy's mall entrance close to where the shooting happened. We sat down and enjoyed our food. After we were done eating we just sat around for a bit getting ready to leave from where we were sitting and suddenly 5-6 gunshots rang loudly through the mall. Not knowing where, but sounded soo close, as it actually was to us. My friend panicked and ran frantically for the nearest exit. I quickly grabbed her daughter and ran shortly behind to safety outside. As I looked around before running all I could see was people running out of Macy's and in all directions for safety! It really was a scary moment not knowing what happened and where!
After getting them to safety outside of the mall I went back in a few minutes later to retrieve our bags, her purse and cell phones that we left behind in a panic. Luckily everything was still there after many people running away past our belongings. I didn't know where exactly the shooting took place until watching the 10 o'clock news and chilling to find out that the shooting happened right in front of the entrance where we parked. We very easily could have been walking to the car and would've been right in the center of that nonsense! Thank God we stayed around for a moment after we finished eating!!
Here's something I found to be chilling and sad! When I went back for our belongings, there weren't many people left in the vicinity where we were. As I was heading back to the door the police and ambulance quickly were running through the door. There were people that ran to safety into the arcade near that Macy's entrance. They all came running out a back door of the arcade feeling safer at the sight of the police coming in. Here's what I seen through that commotion. A young, chubby, Caucasian boy maybe 10-12 years old run to a police officer. I remember he had dark hair and a blue jacket. He ran to an officer and said something like..his parents got into an argument with some guys..something about pushing and he said something about his dad calling one of them the 'N' word. Then, something about a gun and shooting. I then recalled the cop telling him and others to slow down as many people were trying to tell their accounts at once while frightened still about what was going on. I instantly sympathized for the little boy, but kept going outside to leave. I remember the child seemed scared, but rather calm which I thought was strange...just what I observed!!
Later after watching the news, they said two of the victims were together and I bet they were that little boy's parents..so sad! Those are the two currently listed as being in critical condition. A third and unrelated bystander victim was shot in the leg and was able to walk out the door I believe. Really sad and scary how some people can be so brazenly bold with no regard for other people's lives and commit such violent acts so easily! Hopefully the shooter is caught and brought to justice soon!
I personally like Monroeville Mall and don't think it's as bad as some of the reviews on here make it to be. Surely, it's not Ross Park Mall nor does it need to be. If you need to buy a coach bag, a new MacBook or some diamonds from Tiffany & Co, then grab your black card and hit Ross, high roller!! This mall was extensively renovated and expanded about 10yrs ago and more renovations as of recent. I'm not crazy about Dick's Sporting Goods, but that and the Cinemark were nice new additions to the mall! Like how can you hate on a mall that once housed an indoor ice skating rink and was the set of the cult horror classic, Dawn of the Dead and a few other movies!
I recently bought some stuff from f.y.e. as they were going out of business. I asked a cashier if the company was going out of business. She informed me that the chain is not going out of business, but rather that the mall is charging rent too high. Makes me wonder if that's a move by mall owners to bring in larger retailers that could afford higher rent..not really sure!
Anyways, in closing to this review, don't give up on this mall! It has lots of potential and is gonna need your support more than ever now!
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