ROSEVILLE- A 34-year-old woman was shot a killed in the parking structure of the Westfield Galleria Mall and the suspected gunman was apprehended near the scene Saturday.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. when law enforcement was dispatched to reports of a shooting on the third floor of the parking garage and that the suspect had fled the the scene on foot. Upon arrival, officers swarmed the area and the mall was put on lockdown for what was considered an active shooter scene at the time.
According to a report from the Roseville Police Department, 29-year-old Simranjit Singh was arrested on murder charges and booked into the Placer County Jail. Singh reportedly shot the woman, whom he was reportedly dating or in a relationship with.
Lt. Chris Ciampa with the Roseville police department shared some details of the incident and Singh’s apprehension, which is still under investigation. It was a combination of witnesses and the Galleria’s quality surveillance video that assured officers in locating the suspect quickly and will assist in the complete investigation into what let up to the homicide.
“There are cameras in the garage,” said Ciampa. “They have an extensive security system and we are working with them.”
Immediately after the shooting, the suspect left the garage, leaving the firearm behind. He then reportedly went shopping at Old Navy, according witness reports. He reportedly purchased a shirt with cash, quickly changed into it, put the old shirt in a shopping bag and asked to leave the store while the mall was in lockdown due to what was considered at active shooter situation at the time.
Police captured the suspect near the Best Buy across the street from the mall on Galleria Road. Ciampa said the fast response and number of officers that responded to the area led to a fast apprehension.
“Through eyewitness accounts and descriptions and his last known direction of travel, it was just a lot of officers in the area looking for him,” Ciampa said.”We do believe it may be domestic.”
Police are continuing to investigate the incident. They have confirmed that the victim was indeed an acquaintance of the shooter and that it appears the two arrived at the mall parking together.
Roseville Police want to assure that the Roseville Galleria is safe to patronize as the investigation indicates that the shooting was not a random act.
“This was not a random act, so people can still feel safe coming to Roseville,” Ciampa said.
*This report was updated with additional information at 5:44 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19.
