On Nov. 23 at Partridge Creek Mall, a 17-year old was shot and hospitalized during the mall’s annual Christmas tree lighting event. The shooter has yet to be found.
Partridge Creek Mall in Clinton Township is an open, public and commonly visited space. Many students at South and other nearby schools have spent time shopping, hanging out or eating out at Partridge Creek Mall. How may this shooting change how students and parents trust commonly visited places like Partridge Creek? South English teacher, Ericka Henk, heard about the shooting shortly after it took place.
“I think it’s terrifying,” Henk said. “We were contemplating going to the tree lighting.”
Considering Henk and her family almost attended the event, she was left in fear, questioning what could have happened if they had gone.
“People should be able to go and have a good time in public places,” Henk said.
Describing her perspective as a parent who has taken her kids to Partridge Creek, Henk won’t be able to trust nearby places as much. Henk explains that even though the shooting caused more anxiety around allowing her kids to hangout at Partridge creek, she won’t be stopping them from going.
“I don’t want them to be scared, and I feel like it would keep them from too much if I kept saying ‘what if?’” Henk said.
Andrew Cobaj ’28 often visits Partridge Creek due to its close proximity and the several shops it has to offer. Cobaj heard about the shooting shortly after it happened. Comparing this shooting to others, Cobaj proposes ways to change the pattern of common shootings in public spaces.
“Around the world, this happens a lot,” Cobaj said. “I think that people should start cracking down on this [by] adding more security.”
Cobaj finds the shooting disappointing and believes action needs to be taken soon. Similarly, Louisa Justin ’29, is upset and in disbelief.
“Its a place you go to have fun, and it’s now a place where scary things like that can happen,” Justin said.
Justin’s perspective is heavily affected by the shooting, and her trust in public spaces like malls was quickly lowered after hearing about the event. She now worries about future experiences at places she visits in her everyday life.
“It definitely changes how I feel because I have memories there,” Justin said. “it’s crazy that a place so close to me could have something like that happen.”
