Store Owner Arrested in Mall Shooting of 9-Year-Old Girl

The person who allegedly shot a 9-year-old girl in a California shopping mall has been arrested. Police say the co-owner of a sneaker store was the person who fired the gun. According to authorities, Marquel Cockrell chased two shoplifters out of his store around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cockrell allegedly “fired multiple shots at the shoplifters,” but missed, hitting the little girl who was waiting in line for pictures with the Easter Bunny, Victorville Police said in a statement.

[khizarzulfi]

No matter what the situation is, you don't start shooting in a mall full of people. Glad that little girl is recovering.

[mikeymcmikeface]

Missed the thieves but hit the girl 3 times. Seriously?

[elyayanyayansito]

Dude almost ended a little girls life over someone shoplifting. Now both of their lives are forever changed.

[SpringLeafWolf]

Senseless. His life wasn't in any danger. File a police report on the shoplifters as well as an insurance claim. You can't just open fire in a crowd of people. Catch and charge the shoplifters too.

[Copper]

That's very unfortunate for both sides. He's life is screwed after trying to stop a crime, failed miserably and hit an innocent girl. Screw those shoplifters most of all.

[VolumePerfection]

I get he wanted to get the shoplifters but to shoot in a mall with people is just very irresponsible...

[sir.niklas]

Shouldn't own a gun if you can't follow the basic gun safety rules...

[CurtisEWipe]

Um....store owner or not, you can't just shoot at shoplifters. Especially in a crowded mall. 🤦‍♂️

[TheBritishPatriot]

I'm all for store owners and employees protecting their property and excersizing their 2A rights but this is the perfect example of what not to do!
The fact that he fled the state after horrendously missing his shots indicates that he was probably prohibited from carrying.

[potatopancake]

This is insane. You cant shoot someone in a mall wven if theyre stealing. Society is literally ridiculous at this point

[jogould]

What logic possessed him to think it was ok to fire a weapon in a mall? Not very well thought out at all. Poor baby, I am glad she will be ok.

[queensmith]

All of their items are insured. He had no reason to open fire like he did

[uabforfindingthisbutalr]

damn, he just wanted to catch the theifs but instead shot a little girl and ruined her life.. those thiefs will serve little to no time and he will serve the rest of his in jail.. just a sad situation all around

[Balgees]

why he firing like that in public? poor girl.

[WhateverDude]

I can understand the rage he was feeling which is why he probably didn't think about what he was doing but dude...you almost killed a completely innocent person.

[johnbazan]

The guy should have stayed and help the girl out, instead of running away.

[bammmyouuu]

This is why you leave the work to the security guards 😑

[legendleonard]

how did the girl get shot 3 times in the same arrm

[MrsznewyawkRN]

Were shoes really that fxkin worth it smfh.

[rogerszmodis]

Are there any people in the world other than Americans who shoot each other over shoes?

I can’t think of any.