Aveanna Propst was 13 when she was killed by a stray bullet on December 28, 2019, outside the Dave & Buster’s at Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina. The shooting followed an argument between two groups of teenagers that escalated into gunfire; Aveanna, an eighth-grader at ACE Academy Charter School, was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. Two teenage boys were also wounded but survived.

Authorities say the confrontation began with an exchange between 18-year-old Dontae Milton-Black and a 16-year-old inside the mall. The 16-year-old left through the Dave & Buster’s area; when Milton-Black saw him in the parking lot he opened fire. Milton-Black was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony riot. A 15-year-old was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony riot. Neither suspect was known to Aveanna or the other victims.

Aveanna’s family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Simon Property Group, alleging the mall’s management knew about recurring criminal behavior and failed to provide adequate security. Hundreds attended her funeral to remember her as a bright, loving, talented child. Does anyone have information about that night or about safety concerns at Concord Mills Mall leading up to this tragedy?