Mall brawl leads to arrests

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By Linda Cook and Thomas Geyer | Monday, January 22, 2007 |

TODAY: (Updated: 8:04 p.m.) Eight people, including five adults, were charged or cited with minor offenses after a brawl Saturday night at NorthPark Mall, Davenport, that caused several businesses to close.

There were no injuries, and businesses opened Sunday without incident.

Trell Laverne Everett, 18, of 2616 W. 55th St., Davenport; was charged with disorderly conduct by fighting and failure to disperse. Police allege that he and three of his friends were told to leave the mall several times by uniformed officers before Everett was involved in the disturbance. Everett allegedly refused to listen to officers.

Cory Lamar Carter, 18, of 2030 Emerald Drive, Davenport, allegedly took a fighting stance and had both hands clenches in fists, about to fight with an unknown person the south parking lot of J.C. Penney, police said. Carter allegedly ran when he was told he was under arrest and continued to run until he was taken into custody at the Firestone building near the mall. He was charged with disorderly conduct, failure to disperse and interference with official acts.

Joseph Morrow, 21, of 615 7th Ave., Clinton, Iowa, also was charged with interference with official acts.

In addition, two juveniles who were cited for disorderly conduct by fighting and failure to disperse were turned over to the custody of their parents; two parents received parental responsibility warnings; and one 16-year-old youth was charged with disorderly conduct by fighting and failure to disperse.

The young people allegedly were involved in a melee about 5:40 p.m. Saturday that caused several shops to close and sent shoppers running for safety, involved about 100 teens and adolescents in the mall’s food court area.

Davenport police and Scott County sheriff’s deputies were called to the mall, 320 W. Kimberly Road, upon request from off-duty Davenport police who were working in the mall as security.

A K-9 unit, along with officers armed with stun-guns and paintball guns, arrived to break up the fights.

Police said there were multiple fights in multiple spots, primarily around the Food Court. The first fight was between two females, police said. The number of fights escalated

from there.

Mall workers said the teens and young adults were running through the mall, cursing and screaming.

There was a report that at least one of the people involved had a handgun, but no firearms were found. Police also said that one of those arrested was apprehended after a foot chase with police that took place in the mall parking lot.

Police said several people were arrested, including at least two adults. However, the exact number of those taken into custody and what they were charged with was unavailable late Saturday.

Mall employees said that several shops along the Food Court, including Barnes & Noble Bookstore, shut their gates. Contrary to some reports, however, police said the mall was never locked down.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.