May 19, 2013
PC Phillip Lynn Tallahassee Mall
[UPDATE] August 6, 2012 - 5:47pm by Lanetra Bennett
Desmon McNealy says he saw police at the Tallahassee Mall when he came to work Saturday, but couldn't believe why they were there.
McNealy says, "Whoever trying to rob somebody for their shoe money basically you can tell they don't have a life. It really don't make no sense at all."
Police say up to 20 people were lined up just before 7:30 a.m., waiting on the mall to open for the release of the newest Air Jordans at Finish Line.
Officers say Phillip-Leroy Lynn came up to a man and said, "Empty your pockets, or I'll burn you." Police say the victim replied, "For real, over shoes?"
Police say Lynn hit the man in the head with the butt of a handgun. Officers say when the victim starting running, Lynn fired three shots.
Police say once the victim realized Lynn had stopped shooting at him, the victim ran toward Tire Kingdom located in front of the Tallahassee Mall.
All three bullets missed the victim.
Police say Lynn got into the passenger seat of a car, the car crashed, then both suspects ran off.
Police say Lynn was identified because a witness who was also in line to buy shoes said they knew him.
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[UPDATE] August 6, 2012- 12:45pm
by Julie Montanaro
Phillip-Leroy Christian Lynn has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and robbery. He's accused of trying to hold up a man waiting in line outside a Tallahassee shoe store Saturday.
Lynn was booked into the jail early this morning.
Arrest papers released this morning say the victim and others were waiting in line at the Finish Line to buy the newest Air Jordans.
The victim told police the man pointed a gun at him and said, "Empty out your pockets or I'm going to burn you." The victim says he replied, "For real, over shoes?"
The victim says he started walking backwards and tried to hide behind a column, but started to run when he realized the robber was still after him.
Arrest reports say the robber fired three shots at the victim as he ran, but none of the shots hit him. Police say one of the bullets struck the window of a vacant SUV about ten yards away.
A witness told police he noticed a car pull up to the front doors of the mall. When the robber got in, he said, the car sped off, crashed into a fire hydrant and both the robber and the driver bailed out and ran toward Allen Road.
Another witness says he knew the gunman by name.
Police later put Phillip-Leroy Christian Lynn's photo in a photo line up and the victim identified Lynn as the man who tried to rob him.
Police are withholding the names of the victim and the witnesses for their protection.
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[UPDATE] Tallahassee, Florida- August 4, 2012- 2:56 PM
Public Information Officer, Susan Newhouse says, that at approximately 7:26 am, patrons for the Finish Line, located at the Tallahassee Mall, 2415 North Monroe Street, were forming a line outside the mall for the new Jordan tennis shoe release. While the patrons were waiting in line, a black male suspect approached the victim and an attempted robbery occurred. The victim refused the suspect’s demands and was struck in the head by the suspect.
The victim began to run west at which time the suspect gave chase and began shooting towards the victim. When officers arrived on scene contact was made with the victim. The victim was not seriously injured. The suspect fled the area with a second unknown suspect who drove a gray Toyota Corolla. The vehicle became inoperable after striking a fire hydrant, at which time both suspects fled on foot.
The investigation is on-going with interviews with witnesses and evidence being collected.
As we have more details about this incident, they will be released.
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Tallahassee, FL -- August 4, 2012
Shortly after 7 am Tallahassee Police Department received a phone call reporting a disturbance at the Tallahassee Mall. Customers had lined up early outside of the mall for the newest release a NIKE Jordan shoe being sold at the Finish Line store. An individual attempted to rob someone waiting in line, the victim was able to get away. Immediately after, shots were fired. There were no injuries and the suspects fled. The mall is open for business. We will bring you more details as they become available.
