Latest news with #CynthiaGregory
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Little Rock residents react to the arrest of teen accused of deadly shooting at Park Plaza Mall
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Before Abdelrahmanahmed Sallam allegedly killed Cynthia Gregory, police say he used the same gun to scare a teen he met online through Facebook Marketplace. The affidavit from Little Rock Police said an exchange for an iPhone 15 at a Sharks on Fair Park Boulevard went wrong when the teen saw he'd been scammed with a fake. As he tried to reverse the deal, the person, later identified by witnesses as Sallam, ran off firing four to five rounds behind him. Police say he also deleted the associated account which made all online messages unreadable. Court records show previous aggravated robbery investigation leads to arrest of accused Park Plaza Mall shooter Ardane Torres lives near Park Plaza where police state Sallam's next crime was 8 days later. 'It's scary because we can't just trust anyone that you will just meet,' Torres said. Halfway between the Jan. 19 armed robbery and the Jan. 27 murder, police say on Jan. 24 Sallam leased a new apartment at the Park Avenue Lofts. According to the affidavit, surveillance video caught the suspect walking from the loft parking lot, running to Gregory, trying to steal her purse, shooting her, and retreating across the street to hop over the Chick-fil-A parking lot fence. Cameras also caught him returning to the Park Avenue Lofts parking deck. Friends remember Park Plaza shooting victim Cynthia Gregory Kristina Ballard was walking nearby by herself to run errands on Thursday. She said she was on edge before learning an arrest was made. 'It kind of gives you a scare. Is it safe? I mean can I go outside? Do I have to carry a weapon? Do I have to be on alert?' Ballard asked. Police matched shell casings from the robbery to the murder, and arrested Sallam for armed robbery. When they searched Sallam's apartment, they also found the same clothes seen worn during the murder. 'I've been through rough times, and I understand you get desperate…on the other hand, dude, you've been in the world long enough, you don't treat people, that's not the way to go about things,' Ballard said. Little Rock police arrest suspect in deadly Park Plaza Mall shooting After Little Rock Police announced the arrest, Park Plaza Mall sent a statement. In part, the last paragraph reads: 'We share the frustration and sadness that such an event could happen here – whether at Park Plaza or anywhere in our neighborhood. This is our shared community, and we are committed to doing our best to keep it safe and thriving. We believe in the future of Little Rock and the vibrancy of Park Plaza as part of that future.' Park Plaza Mall Friday at 9 am, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Junior and Police Chief Heath Helton will hold a public safety update inside Little Rock Police Headquarters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Park Plaza shoppers ‘shocked' after woman was shot, killed in mall parking lot
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Several shoppers at Park Plaza Mall say they're still on edge, as Little Rock police investigate the homicide of a woman who was shot and killed in the parking lot of the mall Monday night. Officials with the Little Rock Police Department confirmed Tuesday that the victim was 47-year-old Cynthia Gregory. Little Rock police release name of woman killed in Park Plaza Mall shooting According to LRPD, officers responded shortly after 6 p.m. to the mall at 6000 West Markham Street. After arriving on the scene, officers said they found Gregory after she had been shot. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. Mimi Berry lives in Little Rock and says she often goes shopping at the mall but is rethinking that decision. 'Its horrible, it's absolutely horrible,' Berry said. 'It's shocking and it should not be going on here. I guess everyone has to be very very careful.' This is the second shooting at the mall in a matter of months, the other happening on Black Friday in 2024 when two people were shot and injured. Weeks later police made an arrest in that case. Nassim Kerawala owns a business just steps away from the mall. She said she remembers the chaos of the November shooting. 'We had to shut down because there were so many cops and people were scared and everybody was just running around,' Kerawala said. Woman dead after being found shot in Park Plaza Mall parking lot Kerawala says after this shooting she isn't comfortable even taking her daughter inside the mall and the businesses around her are also feeling the impact. 'It affects all of us. You see, many of us are not open,' Kerawala said. Officials with Park Plaza Mall released a statement saying they are cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation. 'We are heartbroken about the incident on Monday evening, and our deepest sympathies are with the victim, her family, and friends. We continue to work diligently to assist Little Rock Police in their ongoing investigation. Over the past several years, Park Plaza has made significant investments into the center, including enhancements to security infrastructure, resources, and operations. We also continue to work actively with local leaders, Little Rock Police, and other first responders to further enhance safety at the property and in our community. We are focused on providing our guests, tenants, and employees a safe place to shop, gather, and work. Their safety and well-being remains our highest priority.' Officials with Park Plaza Mall However, Kerawala believes more needs to change when it comes to security. 'They're getting better, but they need more improvement,' she said. 'I don't know who walks in there or if its safe to go in there anymore.' No suspect information has been released at the time. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Little Rock Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
