To the Editor.

The headline of last Thursday’s edition of The Robesonian indicated that a “mall shooting” occurred the evening before. Even though the article alluded to the shooting occurring in the alley between Drugs America and Crossfit, it bears repeating that this shooting did not happen at the mall.

The victim in this crime sought help at the closest place that was open, lighted and had people around who could offer assistance. That place just happened to be Belk. Belk employees did an outstanding job by implementing a lockdown and administering first aid to Ms. Hunt. Belk security responded immediately as did off-duty Lumberton police who were working inside. In addition, mall security was also on-scene.

These combined efforts brought the situation under control long before uniformed police and I arrived. In addition, both the owner of the mall as well as the mall manager arrived within minutes of the incident to express their concern and offer assistance. From the apparent multiple layers of security in place, it is obvious that a top priority of mall administration is to make sure that customers are safe while on their premises.

To Ms. Hunt, we are thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery during this time. To the coward who committed this crime, we are thinking of you too — just in a different way.

Erich Hackney

Lumberton

Erich Hackney is a Lumberton city councilman and also an investigator for the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office — editor.