A teenager implicated in igniting a gunfight at a busy shopping center has received a prison sentence of nearly nine years, as reported by ABC15. Raul Franco, aged 19, was involved in a shootout at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Glendale back in March of 2022, where his actions not only injured several individuals, including children but also spread panic among the throngs of unsuspecting shoppers.
During the gunfire exchange, three children were caught in the crossfire, with the youngest victim, a 4-year-old, continuing to suffer from the aftermath of the incident. The sentencing followed pleas of guilty to aggravated assault and two counts of felony endangerment, "Not only did this defendant’s actions harm innocent people, he also caused panic and fear for hundreds who were simply out shopping that day," Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, in a statement obtained by ABC15.
More light was shed on the 2022 shooting with the release of the suspect's identity. Raul Franco, then 17, was at the mall with several children and women at the time of the confrontation, which reportedly stemmed from an altercation related to "social media disrespect," according to the court documents obtained by ABC15.
Authorities state that after being confronted by the group, Franco pulled a gun from his backpack and initiated the shootout, inadvertently harming a 15-year-old boy in the ensuing chaos. Bullets also struck a 27-year-old mother and her four-year-old son, both of whom were shopping with Franco. When speaking to law enforcement, Franco indicated he had purchased the firearm for his own safety for $100, although details surrounding the purchase remain unclear. As a result of the event, authorities estimate the property damage at the shopping center to be around $10,000.
The consequences for Franco's actions are severe, as he was already on probation for a 2019 drug conviction. Facing multiple felonies including three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, four counts of felony endangerment, one count of criminal damage, and one count of prohibited possession of a firearm, his nearly nine-year prison sentence marks the end of a case that has significantly impacted the Glendale community.
