Late-Night Mall Fight Ends in Stabbing and Arrests
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Two young women were taken into custody after an argument escalated into a knife assault on three other women inside a bustling Western New York mall late Friday evening. Cheektowaga police say the attack happened near a major stairwell around 7:15 p.m., prompting a fast-moving response from law enforcement.
Suspects Charged in Connection With Knife Assault
Authorities have charged 22-year-old Lakeya Richerson and 21-year-old Joshalyn Paul, both from Buffalo, with three counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon after they allegedly used knives against the victims during the altercation.
The victims, who were reportedly familiar with the suspects, were rushed by ambulance to a nearby medical center with injuries police describe as non-life-threatening. All three were treated and are expected to recover.
Scene Secured, Investigation Underway
Images shared by local outlets from the scene showed police tape cordoning off parts of the mall concourse and visible traces of blood on the floor. Officials from the mall — one of the region’s most visited retail centers — said the incident appears to be isolated to individuals known to each other, and not indicative of a broader threat to visitors.
Richerson and Paul remain in police custody as they await arraignment in Cheektowaga Town Court. Authorities continue to piece together the events that led up to the violence.
