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Some shoppers have concerns after weekend shooting at Pembroke Mall

Posted at 6:18 PM, Sep 17, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-18 07:01:18-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - An arrest has been made in this weekend's shooting at Pembroke Mall. But has the damage been done and will it make you think twice the next time you need to go shopping at the mall?

Beach police are saying Reginald Whidbee, Jr. is the man who fired a gun at another man on the outside patio of Jason's Deli on Sunday afternoon.

The shooting happened on the restaurant’s patio just feet away from mall entrances where dozens of people were eating, and then ducked for cover.

"It just kind of seems like today, people's boundaries on what they do isn't really limited to the time of day or the place," says Maya Shelton.

Police tell us that Whidbee shot the gun after an argument.

The victim is expected to be OK, but some who shop at Pembroke Mall say they now have concerns.

“I don't think I'm going to bring my son here for a while. You never know, people might be crazy and come back and try it again,” says Crystal Fay, a shopper.

Fay grew up going to Pembroke and never felt unsafe until now.

She thinks since the mall has recently added three new stores, it's brought in outsiders.

“It's bringing a lot more attention over here to where it was once a quiet place, now it’s just so much stuff going on and all the criminals are out here now because there are so many places for them to hit,” says Fay.

Now she's more inclined to shop 15 minutes away at Lynnhaven Mall.

“I might have to go over there because if there's no problems over there, why am I going to come to a mall where there's been a shooting instead of going to one where there's one I know will be safe,” says Fay.

Others say the shooting won't affect their trips to Pembroke.