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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Authorities have identified the gunman who
was killed by an off-duty officer at a Charlotte mall Thursday
as 18-year-old Daquan Antonio Westbrook, CBS affiliate WBTV
reported.
At a Thursday night news conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
police (CMPD) said Westbrook was shot near the entrance of the
Journey's shoe store, in the Dick's Sporting Goods side of the
Northlake Mall, in gunfire that erupted shortly after 2 p.m.
As last-minute shoppers were picking out their final gifts,
witnesses say they heard several shots fired from the lower-
level of the mall. CMPD says Thomas Ferguson, an off-duty
officer, arrived on scene after hearing the gunfire. Police
Chief Kerr Putney said the suspect pointed a gun in the
direction of the officer before being shot, WBTV reported.
Witnesses said the fatal shooting followed an argument between
two groups of people.
James Elliott saw the incident unfold.
"Five guys started fighting, two of them ran out of the store
when the third guy came out of the store he pulled out a gun,"
Elliott told WBTV. "Officer stepped up, said put your gun down,
he turned around and opened fire."
Westbrook was pronounced dead by Medic, an area EMS service.
In reference to the argument, Chief Putney says there was an
ongoing dispute between the groups, but added there is no
indication that the incident was gang related. He said multiple
weapons were found at the scene.
Witness told WBTV the station the initial gunfire at the mall
was in retaliation for a shooting that happened last week
involving the deceased suspect's brother.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charlotte-christmas-eve-mall-shooter-
idd/