THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 25, 1995 TAG: 9512250029
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
A Norfolk man, arrested at his home Sunday, faces murder charges after a long-simmering grudge erupted in gunfire at a crowded Eastern Shore mall in Salisbury, Md., on Saturday, sending hundreds of Christmas shoppers scurrying for cover.
A second man suspected of playing a role in the shooting also was arrested in Norfolk.
The apparent target of Saturday's attack was killed, police said. Two other people - one a bystander, the other an acquaintance of the murder victim - were injured.
Gabriel Cannon, 23, of the 1100 block of Jernigan Ave. in Norfolk, is being held without bond on a charge of being a fugitive from justice. He faces extradition to Maryland, where he is wanted for murder, three counts of attempted murder and a dozen other charges.
Terrance Teagle, 19, of Salisbury, faces similar charges. He was found in Cannon's home and was charged after extensive questioning.
The shooting occurred Saturday evening at the Centre at Salisbury, one of the largest malls on the Eastern Shore, with four major department stores and 10 movie theaters.
A Salisbury police spokesman, Capt. Elton Harrington, said the shooting appeared to be in retaliation for a fight between Cannon and Ray Davis, 21, during the summer.
The gunfire erupted shortly before 8 p.m. at a water fountain in the center of the mall. Police said two groups of men who had fought in the past ran into each other in a chance meeting. They argued, and one man pulled out a gun and shot Davis. At least six shots were fired, police said.
Witnesses said the shots were followed by panic as shoppers dove into stores and behind mall furnishings in an effort to seek cover. As the gunmen fled, passers-by came to the aid of Davis and two other people who were shot.
Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Anthony Waters, a 26-year-old bystander who was shopping with his wife, was in serious condition Sunday. Lybrant Graham, 19, a friend of Davis, was in critical condition, said Salisbury police chief Coulbourn Dykes.
After the shooting, customers fled the mall and shopkeepers pulled down security gates. Police quickly evacuated the mall and searched the stores, and cars in the parking lot, for suspects through the night.
Trained police dogs investigated the parking lot for evidence and suspects while a police helicopter hovered. Customers were held at the mall until their cars had been searched.
Police were able to trace Cannon to the slaying using witness descriptions and an interview with Graham before he went into surgery, Harrington said.
``We knew that he frequented the Salisbury area, but he was living in Norfolk,'' Harrington said. ``We had a nationwide broadcast.''
Norfolk police arrested Cannon at his residence in the Oakmont North Apartments around 7:40 a.m. Sunday, said Officer Larry Hill, a Norfolk police spokesman.
Hill said Teagle, who also goes by the name Terrance Massey, was in the apartment when Cannon was arrested. He initially was taken in only for questioning, but in the course of that, Hill said investigators learned his alleged role in the shooting.
Cannon and Teagle are cousins, Harrington said.
``He was a participant with Mr. Cannon,'' Harrington said. ``He was with him and fled with him to Virginia.''
Police found a handgun in Cannon's apartment that was described as being of the same caliber as the weapon used in the shooting. It has not been positively linked to the killing, however.
A Maryland investigator flew to Norfolk two hours after the pair were caught and participated in their questioning.
Hill said the men are scheduled to appear Wednesday in Norfolk General District Court. The extradition process will begin then.
Salisbury Mayor W. Paul Martin urged residents Sunday not to be fearful because of the incident. ``What we had was an isolated incident that police could not have prevented,'' he said. ``Yes, we all should be careful, but no, no one should be afraid to go to the mall.''
Shoppers apparently weren't. They returned in force to the mall Sunday. ``Something happened that, I don't know, will probably never happen again, I'm sure,'' shopper Ruth Allen said. ``I sure hope not.'' ILLUSTRATION: Gabriel Cannon
Terrance Teagle
KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING ARREST SHOPPING MALL by CNB