2020 Riverchase Galleria shooting
The 2020 Riverchase Galleria shooting was a fatal incident that took place inside the Riverchase Galleria shopping mall on the afternoon of Friday July 3, 2020. A dispute near the mall's food court escalated to gunfire, wounding four people. Eight-year-old Royta Giles Jr died from a gunshot wound to the head. Walter Lee Rashad Hudson, Senia Escobar Fajardo and Chateria Brant were all wounded.
Montez Moses Miracle Coleman is believed to have been the first to pull a gun, a 5.56 caliber pistol, during a confrontation with another group of men, possibly as part of an ongoing dispute about a rap lyric. Two other males, King Gary Williams and Demetrius Dewayne Jackson Jr, returned fire, resulting in at least 12 rounds fired within four seconds.
All of those wounded are believed to have been innocent bystanders. Royta, a second grade student at Jonesboro Elementary School, was with his family trying to take cover, when he was struck by a bullet near the entrance to The Children's Place clothing store.
Coleman was seen fleeing through the Hyatt Regency Hotel's parking deck. He was arrested and later charged with capitol murder and three counts of assault in the 2nd degree. On July 7 King Gary Williams and Demetrius Dewayne Jackson Jr were arrested and also charged with capital murder and 2nd-degree assault. King's attorney John Lentine and Jackson's attorney, Victor Revill both issued statements saying that their clients were defending themselves against Coleman.
The Galleria's owners paid for Giles' funeral. In late July, Giles' mother, Jesslyn Layfield, filed a lawsuit against the Riverchase Galleria, general manager Mike White, and security contractor Andy Frain Services Inc., claiming negligence.
References
- Robinson, Carol (July 3, 2020) "Shooting at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover; 8-year-old boy killed, 3 others wounded." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (July 5, 2020) "Riverchase Galleria shooting: Man charged in death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr.; other gunmen sought." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (July 7, 2020) "Riverchase Galleria shooting: 2 teens charged with capital murder in Royta Giles’ death." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (July 9, 2020) "Teens charged in Royta Giles’ death were defending themselves, lawyers say." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (July 9, 2020) "‘We have gained a guardian angel’: Royta Giles Jr. honored at emotional Hoover prayer vigil." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (July 22, 2020) "Family sues Hoover mall after shooting death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (August 11, 2020) "Dispute over rap lyrics may have led to Galleria shooting that killed Royta Giles, prosecutors say." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (January 5, 2023) "Suspect in 2020 shooting death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. at Riverchase Galleria denied youthful offender status." AL.com