Shoppers on edge after man stabbed in robbery at Northlake Mall

CHARLOTTE — As concern grows over violence at Northlake Mall, police say a man was stabbed over the weekend in a robbery there.

Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz spoke to the victim’s mom on Monday. She said her son is still in the hospital and is in stable condition. She said though she doesn’t know many details, she was told he had gotten into some sort of argument inside the mall.

The police report said the suspect stabbed a man at the mall and stole his Apple Watch on Saturday. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Rodney Richards was arrested in connection to the case.

Rodney Richards Northlake Mall robbery suspect (Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office)

Incidents like this are keeping shoppers like Xander Gittens away from the mall.

“I used to come to this mall a lot for the simple fact it was one of the closer malls,” he said. “But now, with all the crime going on, I’d rather just go to a further mall and not have to worry about looking over my shoulder 24/7.″

From December 2022 until last month, Channel 9 has reported on three shootings at the mall in 75 days. Just last month, the mall announced five new changes in collaboration with CMPD. The changes include increased off-duty police officers patrolling the mall, gun-sniffing dogs, large surveillance video monitors and upgrades to more than 140 surveillance cameras. The mall will also add vehicle recognition technology that will pair with CMPD’s program.

Despite the new rules, people who work and shop nearby don’t plan to return anytime soon.

ALSO READ: Northlake Mall to roll out new safety measures after recent shooting incidents

“At this point -- I hate to say it -- all they really can do is close down the mall ‘cause it’s happened for so long,” Gittens said. “People are already starting to shy away from this area as is.”

“If I do go to the mall, its SouthPark or outlets or something,” Jennifer Kaleta said. “I just wouldn’t go to this mall.”

Kaleta stops at the mall perimeter to grab lunch from time to time and said, despite working just around the corner, she doesn’t plan to return to Northlake until she sees a change.

“I’ve lived in the Charlotte area for about seven years. Ever since I moved here, I’ve heard of stuff like that happening. So it might take a while, but that’s probably what it would take,” she said.

Goetz reached out to a mall spokesperson multiple times Monday but has yet to hear back.

Last month, Buckle and the Apple Store announced departures from the mall.

The stabbing was part of a violent Easter weekend in Charlotte. Channel 9 looked through dozens of police reports from over the holiday weekend and, according to those reports, there were at least 19 shootings in Charlotte. 10 people were hurt in shootings, 10 homes and a business were shot into and six vehicles were also hit by bullets.

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