Following a string of shootings at a mall in North Carolina ‘s largest city, Apple was forced to close one of its outposts in the state with very little notice.
The Closure Came After An Announcement Made To Its Employees
Apple’s retail store at Northlake Mall in Charlotte was closed permanently on Wednesday afternoon.
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Shootings Are Believed To Be The Reason For The Closure
The sudden closure was influenced by a string of shootings, the latest of which happened outside a nearby Macy’s on Tuesday.
Several Incidents Occurred
There have been three separate incidents of gun violence at Northlake Mall in the past three months, with the most recent one resulting in no injuries.
Business Owners Voiced Concerns
Red Crab Manager, Theera Green, told the outlet:
“It used to be busy all the time here, especially at night, people don’t feel safe to come out at night now, so it’s greatly impacted us.”
Apple Displayed A “Thank You” Message
The Apple store website for Northlake Mall now displays a message thanking customers for their visit and stating that the location is closed.
Plans For Opening A New Store Are Underway
“In preparation for a new store we plan to open in the Charlotte area early next year, we will be permanently closing Wednesday, March 1st at 4pm,” the company’s website says.
Charlotte Is Home To Two Additional Stores Owned By The Company
Apple’s team members will still provide support to Charlotte customers through Apple SouthPark and the Apple Store Online.
Gun Violence Has Become All Too Familiar Inside Northlake Mall
Northlake Mall has been the site of multiple shootings over the years, as reported by WBTV .
Man Wounded In Shooting At Northlake Mall
In February 2012, a shooting occurred in the parking lot outside Dick’s Sporting Goods at Northlake Mall, injuring a 23-year-old man who was hit in the leg. Although initially concerning, his injuries were not life-threatening and he was rushed to the hospital.
Christmas Eve Incident
Christmas Eve of 2015 saw an armed individual being fatally shot by an off-duty officer at Northlake Mall.
Labor Day Shootings
Police were called to Northlake Mall on Labor Day in 2016 due to reports of shots fired around 3 p.m. But no injuries were reported.
Armed Teen Arrested
Police responded to a report of shots fired outside the mall and apprehended a 17-year-old with a handgun. Though the mall was temporarily closed, no individuals were found to be harmed.
Northlake Mall Shooting Incident
After a shooting incident at Northlake Mall, police charged a juvenile in connection with the crime, despite finding no victims at the scene. The young suspect was charged with attempted murder of another juvenile.
Northlake Mall Shooting Incident
In late December 2022, two individuals were shot and injured in an altercation at Northlake Mall.
Fired Inside Mall Following Dispute
As per the police report, there was one gunshot fired inside the mall following a dispute between two parties.
Apple Confirms Closure, But No Reasoning Provided
While Apple has confirmed the closure, the company has not provided any additional details on the reasoning behind it.
Uncertainty Surrounds Reason For Apple Store Closure
The reason for Apple’s decision to close the store remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether it’s related to the recent violence.
Apple’s Massive Retail Network
From New York to Texas, and everywhere in between, Apple has built a massive network of around 270 retail locations across the US.
The Closure At Northlake Mall Raises Eyebrows
The unexpected closure of the Apple store at Northlake Mall is particularly noteworthy as Apple only rarely shuts down any of its numerous retail locations in the US.
