Dave, I took down your comment because it mentioned a specific address, but I'll check out the situation you heard on the police scanner. Thank you.

I was panicked when I hear this story because my daughter works in Loss Prevention at JC Penney's. We had lunch there on her break today. Turns out she was at home asleep. Thank God!

Thanks, Paul!

Kathy - Very true. It's not the same town. Slowly changing. Sad.

Pat...and I look forward to a day when people stop hurting, killing, robbing, stealing, etc.,etc.,etc.

Wow. I totally agree Pat.

Stereotypes are formulated by people who allow individuals to represent entire groups of people. Just like the racist attitudes on here don't represent the views of all white people, a criminal in a mall shooting should not represent all black people. Racism in any form, however one might try to rationalize or legitimize it, is close-minded and regressive social thinking.

I am with you Pat. You probably have a better chance of getting hit by a middle aged white drunk driver in Orland than being shot by an Urban..I mean black person. How anyone thinks Orland mall compares to Ford City mall is beyond me. And Bryan when I heard about the shooting I thought to myself " I hope the victim is okay".

Pat- Take a look at the Orland Park Prairie and read the police blotter..Most of the crimes that happen in our area are from "urban" people. They destroyed Ford City, Ridge Mall, River Oaks and unfortunately Orland Park will be next. Disheartening or not, its the truth! Open your eyes.....

Ppl reality check their is crime every where. Even your beloved orland tinley area. Its our society in general Its all races all areas. I hate to inform you close minded orland class their is a lot more crime going on there than reported because the town politicans dont want in known.

And perhaps if the mayor and other elected officials spent less time pandering to the Little Flower and Tommy More white-flight racists and their Neanderthal progeny, by shotgunning long time small business owners to make way for their $63 million luxury apartment project, Orland WOULD be looking better. And apparently the mayor thinks you are NOT "...loosing(sic) sales tax revenue..." because "...the village plans to take a $62 million line of credit to finance the (luxury apartment) project and sell bonds to pay off the loan..."" After all, "...(Mayor) McLaughlin said 95 percent of Orland Park retail space is occupied, giving it the lowest vacancy rate in the south suburbs..."
http://triblocal.com/orland-park/2011/09/07/should-village-act-as-a-bank-gorman-asks-at-meeting-on-luxury-apartment-project/

I was surprised anyone was shot at the mall...I could not think of such an incident in the last 35 years or so. And I guess I was surprised it was a black woman at that mall. It would not have surprised me at all if it happened in Joliet or Ford City, there is no question I could make that leap, statistics are statistics.

Oh there have been shooting incidents in Orland, remember the white guy who shot someone at the tanning booth? How quickly you all forget when the person is white!

Ok I am black and this message is to young black men and women stop going in these whit neighborhoods trying to rob and and do dirt the time and energy u use to think of dirt to do you can get your asses back in school or devise a good clean business plan to make money. This is why any race of people don't want to live around us. When we move into a nice neighborhood there are some black people bring nothing but trouble. Wake up black people and stop making us look bad on the news

I was in the mall last month-seemed fine to me.

By the way Paul-you are awesome! well said.

Young black People dr king is not happy . Doing dirt instead of using your mind . What a dissapointmet to dr kings dreams. When I read the article and discovered the young lady was black I started crying

How about gun control... I'm sure it's very unrealistic, but it seems as though we are always at the mercy of those who have a gun. Quite unfortunate. But I guess the world is flawed... It's not a paradise.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7022890

http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/09/cops-probe-shooting-death-of-orland-park-woman.html

omg very body commits crimes every color all ages male and female btw everybody also stereotype

Wow alot of you are so racist on here it is unbelievable. "urban teens" really are you serious. You can really tell that the people leaving comments on here are obviously older aged individuals. Maybe you guys should stop being racists. Crimes are committed every day by people of all diffrent skin colors. Also that comment about clothing that should be in an urban setting is so off lady. We pick out clothing that is to our liking or what is trending right now. So how about you stop being racist mkay

I agree with krissy

This is the 3rd shooting in Orland in recent years, lets not forget the drug deal gone bad off 144th & Ravania where the 3 crimimals ran off and they had parts of old orland on lock down until they finally found the one guy hiding in a neighbors shed. The sex and race of these criminals are of no importance to me...its the crimes that they are committing and seem to be increasingly violent. Yes, we can read the police blotters and see all sorts of neighborhood break ins & shop lifting. All that are bad enough, but to involve weopons, thats where its getting worse. & Its one of the things i fail to see in the Downtown OP plans...how are they going to handle protecting our community from the increase in criminal activity this complex is sure to attract, not to mention doing nothing to help decrease the current problems. Mind u, i have the most respect for our police dept, but without the backing of our village trustees to do more, their hands are tied.

I will print this article and the comments made to show my co-workers. I am a city dweller while most of my co-workers are suburbanites. I want my hard working peers to see how they are viewed by their suburban neighbors. It is not enough that you are college educated, you have a good job, you make sure your children receive a good education and you maintain your property properly; you are still viewed as "urban". I have lived in the City for most of my life, I work here, bank in the City and I complete most of my shopping here. I travel outside the City a few times a year but mostly I spend my money in my City, if I cannot find what I need in my neighborhood, I can easily go Downtown Chicago and find just about everything. Contrary to popular belief, not all areas of the City resemble the Wild West, there are many "urban" communities where the people are law-abiding and hard working.
One last note: crime is not limited to one particular race. In the past few years, look at the number of "suburban" wives that have mysteriously disappeared or mysteriously died.

Orland/ Ford City? "Urban Teens" what the heck century are we in? Bad things happen all over. Get with the program people, its 2011. Be aware of your surroundings...I cannot get over the orland-ford city comparison. Lol!

I can't believe the racist remarks that were made on here. Black or white crime is crime no matter who does it. Okay it happened to be an African American woman, (so they say) who it have been safer if it was a cocasian person? Who u be ready to move away then? Are u ready to move away with all the pedafiles that stay next door to u and ur children?

My bad I was texting so fast but the word should have been would! My thing is this, r u trying to say that only black people commit crimes? R u saying Orlando is that safe? No where is safe, it's a messed up world and when people start to Relize that every race has idiots this world will be a better place. Killers , Rapist, Theives, kidnapper, ConArtistest comes in all colors. So never single out a race. When u go to prison u will see every race there that has commited the same crime or even worse! But I look at it like this, thx God no one was killed. That is a blessing.

Crime happens when there is opportunity. Large, dark parking lots present opportunity. I choose to shop elsewhere (Oak Brook, less taxes, another story) during daylight. I believe our Police department is well aware of the caliber of those who are attracted to the retail mecca. I am not so sure our board as stepped in the mall on a Friday night or visited our schools east of LaGrange Road to get a real sense of what Orland is. Beef up the PD now! Stop investing in rental units and invest in our residents.

On a weekend when we all are probably old enough to remember one the most violent acts of crime on American soil, energy is being spent on stereotyping the orland park shooter. Let's hope the victim is ok and put our energy towards prevention, not reaction.

The "criminal" would have thought twice before attempting to rob that woman if she thought the woman would be carrying a gun of her own,. That's why IL needs to pass the concealed carry law.

I'm glad no one was seriously hurt,I'm Mexican and moved to O. P. from Blue Island,I live in a $400,000 home,and work very hard to afford to live here,and provide my children a better education........I don't see many minorities in my area,but what I do see is racial profiling by police.....its very heart breaking to me,that just because I drive a new SUV,and its late because I'm coming off a night shift from the hospital,I get pulled over often,when they run my plates doesn't it say I'm a doctor? My point is : wake up people,we are all gods children,and need more mixing of the races,to continue a healthy human race!

Stereotypes are fed through the lens of the societal landscape; minorities TEND to have more involvement in violent crime and poverty per capita than their caucasian counterparts...because of the rarity of poverty and violence in Orland Park compared to other areas, people are more likely to assume black=crime...as depicted ad naseum on the news.

Newsflash folks, criminals, whether they are rapists, murderers or thieves come in all shapes, sizes and colors. And no community in this country is immune from their scourge.

recently i went with my wife and daughter to the mall and was appaled at what i
seen. i no longer will allow my wife to shop there unless im with her.

Fear....."the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself......I believe a lot of these comments are stemming from fear, & frustration. We've seen neighborhoods go bad, we don't want that to happen to ours. I see comments from OP residents frustrated with the new plan happening on LaGrange and not spending money on necessary things, such as security. I believe they need to step it up if crimes are increasing. The economy is still not up to par, it makes for a "do what you have to" mentality. I'm not saying for one second that that is right. these, I feel are some of the reasons for how most are feeling. I grew up in the city and I've seen my neighborhood change for the worse. Am I afraid that may happen out this way, after reading this, a little. But, I"m not going to stop living here, nor shopping here. As far as the clothes, I feel most clothes are inappropriate for any one, any age. I also agree with one of the readers that our state needs to let us carry arms. I believe statistics from states that are allowed to carry weapons, crime isn't as high as those without. Those who want this law passed aren't criminals but everyday people that are tired of the bad guy getting the upper hand, and they are also educated on gun use. I know that's another hot topic. I like what Joe said, we are all God's children. I for one talk to anyone in line at the store or give a smile to everyone I pass. We are human, social creatures after all.

Gun control ..... No .. Guns don't kill people .. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE VEN SHE DIDN'T HAVE A GUN SHE COUL HAVE KILLED HER WITH A KNOFE SO WHAT. Do you suppose we ban knives think straight it's the people that are doing it!

I am not shocked nor surprised by all the comments from closed minded ppl such a shame what are you racist teaching your children at home I am a black woman and I see crime happening all over this country what are you watching? Across the world crime is on the rise and if you think that as usual I will just stay in my cluster of the world and no one will get me WRONG we are all being robbed daily check your homes value humm with or without blk ppl in the neighborhood but you think MY ppl are the cause humm watch the out of control young ppl blk,white,yellow,green no matter if effects US all if you think this world is a color thing shame on ALL of you go back to the foundation and learn somrthing other than this land is my land white ppl I see you in my neighborhood buying drugs daily does that count as a crime? Are those ppl a rep of your race HA. Each race has issues just in a different way concentration on how WE can make the world a better place not just your small area and on another note me and my friends spent a lot of money in Orland Park so that your neighborhood can afford to stay nice and clean thanks for the wake up call I am now starting a petition to bring OUR money back to our neighborhood WATCH your taxes go UP again HA HA

And I happened notice all of the people calling us racist stereotypers and saying were rude cuase almost everyone that said that was black or Hispanic as they admitted do u stand up for white no just yourself that's why there is racism .... people like u!!!

See that's another black sticking up do blacks and u want to cheat us out o our money more unbelievable that's why racist comes as a good thing at certain times in life ... Unbelievable!!!!!

Guys....all this back and forth he said/she said...racism vs statistics blabbering is making me vomit. It is what it is. Why do you think the "Most Wanted" pictures in post offices were taken down. Because it showed a highly disproportionate number of black and hispanic perps, wanted for major crimes! I asked the post office about this decision to remove the photos. She said they were referred to as "negative signage."
I told her that right...because these are NEGATIVE/DANGEROUS people, insisting the photos should remain for civilians to study/review. Simple look at the preponderance of minorities in post office Most Wanted Photos, a simple look at the demographics of prison inmates or a simple analysis of horrific, violent crimes revealed in the daily media, leads to an inescapable conclusion. The statistics overwhelmingly show minorities are far and away "leaders" in crime stats of every conceivable measurement. So stereotyping and profiling stem from overwhelming statistics pointing to the regular offenders, rather than deliberate, ignorant racism.
We are all human. Facing such one sided statistics, it is a challenge for good people to keep an open mind regarding race, given the race of the vast majority of perps and most wanteds.

Some of you people need to get over yourselves. Shootings happen all over the place. Just because of one incident you think the neighborhood has changed into some "ghetto like place". Oh and oh my there were some teens skateboarding! Maybe if you could remove the large item from your rectal area and look at something besides yourself in the mirror you would see that these things happen in "high class" areas too only it's the husband killing the wife or the other way around. As for the guy who said he would never let his wife shop in Orland mall by herself again, please, maybe she shouldn't be shopping at all. Get a job!

So this Nixle thing the OP Police use, Rabid Bats, Night Out Against Crime, Citizens??? Police Academy, but no need to mention a shooting with the gunman (gunwomen, gunperson?) on the loose?

Orland is changing for the worse. Decreasing property values, increasing property taxes, decreasing sales tax revenue, increasing commercial vacancies.....all of these trends are attributable to multiple factors....stories like this surely don't help.

I find some of these comments very disturbing in this day and time. As someone mentioned earlier, this weekend is one of the most horrific events to ever take place in our country. 9-11, which in many cases made many American come together. We live in a time when too many liberals decide, let's not have too many stiff fines for individuals or prison time for crimes they commit. We have overcrowded jails and prisons and its costing too much money, "let them go free" in the community. Closings of drug treatment programs. Judges giving serious offenses a slap on the risk. Suburban towns holding back on what is really happening in their communities. What happens with these few examples? Individuals are not informed and lacking knowledge of what "has" been going on in their communities. Orland Park, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields , Frankfort, Tinley Park. No community is immune. And I hear the term "Urban" wear and kids. Well my friends, Kids these days Black, White, Hispanic etc are listening to Gangster Rap, Hip Hop, Urban music. These kids are hanging together at parties, dating.

I also support concealed carry for "responsible" and "trained citizens" to protect themselves and other citizens. I have been shopping at Orland Park Mall for many years. And find this very disturbing this incident has happened, even more towards a senior citizens. The real issue is when will folks get off about race and solutions with the individuals who continue to allow these incidents. VOTE THEM OUT.

Are there any stats to support the claim made by some that the majority of crimes committed at the mall are committed by black people? I'm sure there is a way to obtain those numbers.

My Fellow Suburbanites,
I see a generation gap represented in your comments, and it needs to be addressed. We have many young people saying crime is committed by all races and people from all different backgrounds, and that it is wrong of us to bring race and socioeconomic background into it. I say nay.
If you do this, you are doing a damage to the issue by not addressing it. You should be saying, "Yes, a most likely low-income African American perpetrated a violent crime in my area. Why is it that violent crime is overwhelmingly committed by African Americans and latinos?". (I can gather statistics with a source if needed.) Instead, you whitewash the issue by taking demography out of it, and never have a discussion of why this happens and how it can be fixed. The best thing you can do is to have an honest discourse about the issue instead of avoiding it.
I attend the University of Illinois at Chicago. We get these e-mails roughly twice a week. they are "Crime Alerts". It details the assault/robbery of a UIC student and who perpetrated it. Literally 100 percent of the offenders in the last three years have been black males between 15 and 23. If the social workers, police and community didn't acknowledge this, how could they come up with a solution to make an environment where these boys don't have to rob? They couldn't.
If you whitewash the issue like you are you are part of the problem. Ask a social worker, or a sociologist.

In addition to this,
Many of the people who have moved to the Orland Park area in the last 30 years are there because of white flight, whether they know it or not. How many of you old fogeys grew up in Chicago? How about a neighborhood in Chicago that is now a "bad" one? Do us all a favor and don't repeat the mistakes of your parents and grandparents and segregate yourselves physically and mentally from other people. It only causes more tension and crime. How much farther are we going to get from the city anyways?

I am a HS teacher. I see wonderful children of all color. RACISM and RESPECT
1. The colors of skin are black or white- NOT, white and African American(AA). AA is NOT a color, it is an ethnicity. By calling all dark-skinned folk AA is incorrect. Whoopi Goldberg once said, "I am NOT African, people. I ALSO know two (very pale) white-skinned people from Africa, and the LOVE to tell others they are African Americans. They laugh.
2. PICK UP YOUR PANTS! For God's sake! You look like an idiot! I don't want to see YOUR underwear, anymore than you want to see mine. Want to solve it? Old people start wearing thongs and let your undies show! The "gangstas" will talk about US!
3. PARENTS: Return to being families. As a teacher I see many black and white kids who come from distraught situations. The parents need to BEGIN to be parents! Know where your kids are and CARE about who they are with and what they are doing! CARE! If you care, your kids will, too!
My feeling is, based on the gal’s clothing description, she was from a gang. Black, white or anything in-between, does not matter. The problem is the youth are not being loved, cared for, and head out and find gangs to hang with. I have seen students that are black, white and in-between that have that “gangsta” mentality. They are lost. I hope they can find this gal, rehab her, and find her help to stay with the “good” not evil. To the lady shot, I am so sorry.

Dead is dead, matter who does the killing! We do not pick rhe sperm nor the egg, that becomes us, but we do decide how we will live our lives. My grandfather was from Scotland, and grandma looked white, but was mixed. I have African and American Indian ancestry also, so I cannot hate anyone! Hate destroys the hater!

IT IS NEVER BEEN A RACE ISSUE UNLESS UR RACIST WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT AND U CAN`T BE RACIST IN A COUNTRY THAT WAS BUILT AND KNOWN BY IMMIGRANTS LAND..THE NEW WORLD...WHICH WAS STOLEN FROM THE NATIVE INDIAN ..SO WHAT WAS BASED ON STEELING AND TAKING WHAT IS NOT BELONG TO US IT`S WILL ALWAYS HUNT US ....AM NOT JUSTIFYING ANY BAD CRIME OR ACTION BUT WE CAN`T TEACH POEPLE WHAT IS RIGHT OR WORNG WHEN WE LACK THE DIGNITY TO DO SO...I HOPE AND WISH EVERYBODY TO HAVE A SAFE LIFE AND BE SAFE THERE IS ALOT GOING ON IN THE WORLD THAT IS WORSE THAN WHAT IS GOING ON NOW

Everyone:
Please stop the killing!! Hands are for helping and not hurting! Imagine the day, when all killing stop! We can do it!

The way I see it is like this, I've read that "look at what happened to Ridge Mall, River Oaks, Ford City ... etc." The truth about it is that if the White people start to "run away" because the Blacks are coming into their neighborhoods and so forth then it only leaves them an open road to "claim" the territory. Don't you
see?? You have to Stay and Fight for what's rightfully yours!!! Don't fear them. No matter what race they are. If u allow it to happen then you have no one to blame but yourselves.

Too many urban people patron the mall. I no longer feel safe shopping there, I take my family and my business elsewhere. If my neighbor's or I see any urban folks on our street, we call the police. Better safe than sorry.

Crime happens everywhere, most people that I know go about there day with there heads in there backside. Everyone should know the color code of mental awareness, if you don' t know what that is visit " Front Sight " they are a firearms training facility in Las Vegas. I live and work in Orland and am very aware when I am driving, out late at night etc. I bowl at Orland Bowl weekly and bowl with a Cook County Sheriff who said to me this week that we need conceal carry in Illinois, I could not agree more. Remember people, crime is all around you and if you look like an easy target you will be. To the person who was shot in the arm, I hope you recover fully. To the person who did the shooting, you are a coward and I hope you rot in prison if you are found. And lastly, race has nothing to do with it, all walks of life commit crimes every day. Residents of Orland Park, do your self and your ego a favor and go get a FOID card and buy a gun to protect your homes and take a trip out to Las Vegas to Front Sight to learn how to use it.

I have lots of hope that the surveillance cameras are able to catch the shooter. The Orland mall has one of the best security systems around. For example my car was parked in the lot and was struck by another vehicle. Orland police caught the driver on tape. I would have never had known who did it until I got the call two days later. My car was fixed I was very grateful and believe the shooter will get caught.

I have lived here my whole life and am now raising my young family here. My blathering:

1.) The color of a person’s skin in Orland will get you pulled over. If you are white, the only time you are pulled over is when you are a teen hot boxing with your friends while cruising around town. The rest are shades of brown to black.

2.) To say that the black SHOPPERS who come to spend their money in this town (which raises our revenues) are the problem is looking at the big picture as a simpleton. I'm not calling those people racist, but they know they are.

3.) I am extremely pleased that our younger posters here are able to look past the basics and comment that all kinds of people commit crimes. Yes, this criminal was black and a woman (great point Paul, btw). But did anyone catch the story of the 27 year old WHITE ORLAND PARK RESIDENT pedophile trying to get young girls to perform sexually explicit acts. Our youth is smarter than we give them credit for and it heartens me to know that they will not be bound by the same racism I see in older Orland-ites.

4.) Youth - Yes, please pick up your pants (honestly, very passé), and girls please stop dressing like Kim K and family. Seriously, respect your bodies and leave something to the imagination. Letting it all hang out is less sexy than keeping the good bits under wraps. I promise.

I'm sure this is TLDR, but thanks for those who took the time. And Darin, I like all your posts very much. "Muffy" - good one!

I dont care the race or sex or age of who is committing these crimes. A crime is a crime and they're all wrong regardless of who committs them. As a resident of Orland Park I want to know what our Village is going to do now to prevent these things from continuing to happen. And I would think if it happened in any other town, those residents would want to know their police and elected officials were doing something to help secure the safety of the residents as well as anyone else coming into their town.

We apparently had over $40 million dollars to use towards acquiring land and paying off lawyers and market research firms to start a new real estate development most of us don't want. But yet, the types of crimes occuring in Orland are becoming increasingly more violent and our Village Board seems to just wipe it all on the carpet and hopes everyone forgets so more people will move into and shop in our town.

Its very sad that this happened and I hope the victim will recover quickly. In the meantime, hopefully now our Village Board and elected officicals will see that this is a more serious concern that residents want them to work on and make sure they have steps in place to protect current residents and anyone who might be using their new $63m luxury apartment/retail complex.

You crazy liberals, defending this like there is no race involved.

I read the Police blotter every week only to find someone with an address in Englewood, or a name like Shaniqua, caught with their car full of hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise from Orland Square Mall. And from the blotter, it’s apparent that folks like to travel and do their crimes in packs.

Wake up from your naivety. These urbanites are preying on our community. Orland Park is majority White, these urbanites see us as naïve, easy, trusting, victims. This State needs to join the other 49 states and pass conceal & carry. The Police are not our body guards, they can’t be everywhere, we need to protect ourselves. I'd love to see this coward urban shooter try to stick up someone with a conceal & carry permit.

You liberals talk about White Plight, so do something about it to make Whites not move out of fear. Pass Conceal & Carry and give the middle class a chance to defend themselves against these Section8 thugs.

I grew up in the area & lived in Lincoln Park for the past 18 yrs. We moved back for the schools & to be by family. I never felt threatened in my city neighborhood by anyone. It has been surprising to see how some areas have changed with riff- raff, & racist attitudes by minorities & non-minorities.

I've seen road rage, heard racial threats against people in parking lots & witnessed underlying tensions that I never experienced downtown. Yes, the area has grown like the rest of the nation but concerned because there's a criminal factor that has become more brazen. This is why people are frustrated & want the area to reflect its' good people & name.

I've been to Orland Square twice in the last year & couldn't believe the thuggish behavior. We need to take responsibility & be vigiliant in our communities along with police, village officials & businesses. If I see something strange, I'm calling police or detailing it on my phone. Where was security at 8:55 pm when the mall was closing? I worked there years ago & the doors were secured at closing time. How was this suspect able to walk into the mall undetected?

I love this area & it has issues like any community but we can't allow them to escalate. I don't care if someone is white, black, brown or green as long as they act responsibly & don't hurt my neighbor or family. We can no longer accept that this is becoming common practice & must work together to put a stop to it.

Everyone of you who keep crying about how everyone commits Crimes and it's not just black people need to shut you mouth. Guess what this time it was a black person!!I the funny thing is a bet the people saying let's not be racist are white people that live in cozy white neighborhoods. Go move to Gary for a month and mingle with the locals and we will see if you still feel the same at the end. In the mean time I say stop all the dam busses that come to orland then the world would be a better place

Wow the Bleeding heart Liberals have flocked to this site. Wake Up Sheeple !!!

Wow that's hilarious you think this lady is from orland?? I bet she came from Gary Lansing Hammond or any one of those places that you don't find relevant. Come on now you think they are gonna rob someone in there own neighborhood?? If this is how you feel like I said go move there and put your flat screen tv or your car in the driveway and see how long they'll stay there lol. You would be the next to get shot and I'd be standing there laughing saying I told you so

I just had to suspend a user's account due to using profanity and racial slurs. We try very hard to keep our comment sections free from the ignorant and offensive drivel that often seeps into many sites. Patch is ultimately a community site that is a reflection of your town. It might be helpful to keep that in mind when commenting. Is this the image of your town you really want to project?
You can view our Terms of Service for guidance about what we consider acceptable: http://palos.patch.com/terms

@ Kit you are crazy to actually post what you did on this particular thread. Do you hear these people making comments about how the mere presence of children on a skateboard is scary? There are plenty of hardworking, educated Black Americans that aren't robbing, killing or breaking the law. Please do not feel like you have to brace yourself when the race of the person is black. Regardless of how many white, or hispanic people commit crimes it will be ignored as they continue to assume that only black people are making these foolish mistakes. In general 14% of Americans cannot afford to buy food. Crime is definitely on the rise and it does not have a race, gender or specific age group! Please do not assume we have to apologize for the people that do wrong. All you need to do is continue to do the right thing in your life and find your own happiness, which should not make you feel obligated to "pull" up your race or gender!

Also if your taking a bus I don't think they are contributing to much to orlands economy unless the mall started to accept link lol

Well you're a horrible grandson for letting your grandma take the bus. Man uP and give her a ride or are you to busy defending the people that wouldn't blink twice to steal her purse or shoot someone.

This comment section is comedy gold. We are all dumber for having having read them.

Quite honestly, I am more surprised by the amount of spelling and grammar errors that riddle this comment section than by the actual news story. Are we all simply lazy, or just that stupid? I hope the former...

By and large, the purpetrators of these crimes are African American. All the shootings in Chicago you hear about every weekend...black on black or black on white. Probably 99%. Can't argue with statistics.

How about flooding Pat Quinn's office demanding conceal carry in Illinois. This state stinks as it is the only state in the union that does not let good people bear arms to defend themselves. People this is a second amendment right, promised to us by our founding fathers. !!!!!!

I highly doubt that these criminals would be robbing anymore people if they thought someone was packing. Second amendment people, second amendment.

I would like to hear the woman's response now that she has been shot if she would carry a gun in the future, or if she would have liked to have had one yesterday with the skill needed to defend herself.

DO A BARREL ROLL!

Orland Square could definately use better lighting (have you ever parked By Macy after sunset) and more security. I think the money being spent on the luxury apartments would be better used to improve the landscaping of the Orland Police department. It looks like an abandoned inner city lot.

Since Paul asked me to re-post my previous comment, here it is sans "a-word":

"Urban youth"? I am a 21 year old white male who goes to UIC and currently lives in the city. I am the definition of an "urban" youth. The racist so-called concerned citizens above aren't talking about "urban youth", they are talking about young black individuals. If you are going to be racist and ignorant, at least have the courtesy of pointing yourself out to the world.

I grew up in Homewood, I have been shopping in Orland Park for years and I will continue to shop in Orland Park and at Orland Mall. That said, I will never LIVE in Orland Park due to the racism that is so prevalent in the city.

Also, last time I checked, Armani Exchange, Teavana, and Macy's aren't exactly ghetto stores.

And LOL at Frank just a few comments above. "Can't argue with the statistics" ;) What a smarmy racist jerk. I bet you voted McCain/Palin in 2008 not based on their politics but based on the fact that they weren't black.

There are white bad guys. There are black bad guys. There are hispanic bad guys. I can guarantee you all of the honest and hard working white, black and hispanic people don't want the bad guys and their violence in their communities. It's common sense. Guard against making yourself a victim to any bad guy. Don't walk alone late at night.Park in upper level, well lit parking lots. Don't wear bling and flash a lot of cash. Etc etc. I also think the Golden Rule comes into play. If you see someone being assaulted in any way call the police and try to help. One of the lessons we learned from 9-11 is that we need to fight for ourselves at times. Is there racism in Orland,OakLawn and elsewhere. Sure. I've seen it more in older people who left the south side of Chicago in the 60'sand 70's. Someof them have passed iton to their children. Racism is based on fear. My suggestion is to get to know your neighbors no matter what their race. They are probably very neat people. And instead of moving further south or west stay where you are and do your best to preserve the communities that are your homes instead of running like scared bunnies. People of one race don't take over a community without others packing up and leaving.

Macy's and Armani are the very few exceptions

Everyone please stop with all of your racial comments it is really ignorant and disrespectful. A woman shot at someone else in the parking lot at orland mall. The woman was african american but just beacuse of the acts of one indivudal dosent give you the right to stereotype others. Those are the facts, now all of the percents and the racist comments everyne is throwing in is horrible and needs to stop. There is something wrong with all you who are saying these comments. Is this how you want your kids to be raised? Thinking that people of other racial backgrounds are not superior to whites? This is what is wrong with our society today. Leave your ignorant comments off this page. It is really sad to see these pitty coments from all of you. Its fine to have your opinion because this is in fact a free country and the 1st amendment entitles us to freedom of speech, but it is a whole other issue if you are attacking and passing judgment on others based on their skin color. It is 2011 not 1960, stop with your racial profiling. It's crazy that I am a teenager who seems to be the one who is acting more mature than the rest of the people who are being racist on here. I am asking you to please stop and just leave this as it is, a horrible incident that happend.

It's not about ignorance. It's concerned citizens worried about their community. You all would do the same. Have a little compassion and let everyone get their feelings out.

It's a shame but women should not shop alone especially at night.
Safety in numbers.
Excellent comment John. All of the white people here all up in arms about
being racist, would any of you live next store to a black family??? Hypocrites.

Paul why are you trying to censor me.......not cool that was way to much to repost

Yes please

John, when you refer to "them", who do you mean?

Do I still want to defend criminals? No.

I can see the difference between a black person and a criminal. One does not mean the other.

Just as I won't defend the white 27 year old sex offender who tried to "groom" 2 young girls from nearby towns.

And no one is wearing FUBU anymore. I think you might need to brush up on the pop culture references before trying to zing someone.

Well to comment on Johns post, like I owe him any explanation at all for the reaon why I defend african americans, my dad had passed away in 2007 and my mom got remarried to an african american man. He is my stepdad and I love him very much. I have 2 half-siblings who are also african amercian. So dont you dare get all high and mighty and say that people are to "scared to be angry."

This is very sad.. I'm happy that the woman is ok.. But some of you people on here really need to open up your minds. Seriously there is bad in EVERY race. Blacks are not the only ones committing crime. I'm a black woman, I work 2 jobs to provide a life for my son and I. I live in Dupage County & the area has drastically changed over years. I can see why some (white) people are angry and it is an embarrassment to see the way some of our black people conduct themselves. But I really wish people would not judge an entire race due to the stupidity of individuals.

There have been developments. Find the most recent update here:

http://orlandpark.patch.com/articles/police-orland-square-shooter-was-not-in-mall

Scum comes in all colors, shapes and sizes.... just sayin'

THIS incident is exactly why businesses need MORE cameras and GOOD cameras!

I'll chime in as a man who grew up near Ford City Mall on the SW Side. When I was young the area was about 98% white. Somewhere in the late 80's early 90's the area began turning Hispanic. My father was robbed at gunpoint while working in a Pizza Parlor near Midway Airport by 2 black men (that area was still predominantly white at the time). Vandalism and Break-Ins were on the rise. I don't remember any shootings but we weren't staying around long enough to find out. I moved out to Tinley and it's been pretty quiet. We have Black/Mexican neighbors but they are hard working and their kids are brought up well. These aren't the same class of people I was living with in the city. They are good neighbors.

Now on to Orland Mall. I don't normally go there but my daughter and a friend wanted to go shopping so I chaperoned them on a Friday night. It was a flashback to my Ford City days. The mall was literally 30-40% black. Nobody was causing any trouble but I felt out of place. She won't be going back. Most of them might be good people but I've seen enough to know that it's simply better to avoid those places. She'd probably go without incident but I'm not taking the chance. I've lived through it and it's simply better to avoid it. Sadly, this shooting confirms my fears.

You are all nuts! Live and let live! Protect thy self! Most importantly realize that this whole situation can happen to anyone, anywhere.

I don't know about Orland Park too much, but it seems drugs and thefts are taking over the Oak Park area. They have been alot of articles in the Oak Park paper about people getting arrested for either selling drugs or drug possession. Sad. Sad to hear about the lady getting shot at the Orland Park Mall. People need to look around when they are walking too and from their cars. We need to be aware of our surroundings and the people we pass by on the streets. Also if your shopping, take someone with you, don't go along, especially if your an older person. People usually target older people because they feel they are easy targets and have money on them all the time. Alot of people think because we live in quiet neighborhoods or areas, there is no crime; this is false. Crime is actually everywhere, it may not be all in the open but its' there in some way.

There are racial aspects to crime whether people want to admit it or not. As far as petty theft and robbery goes, blacks are much more likely to be involved in that particular crime in the chicagoland area. Not being racist. Take a look at the black and hispanic poverty rate in the chicagoland area. And the black and hispanic unemployment rate. There are some serious economic issues disproportionately affecting blacks. This does lead to more blacks committing these sort of crimes to get money. As far as other kinds of crimes not involving small amounts of money whites are just as likely to be commiting them.

OK I have one thing to say about the Racist comments on this thread...... When is the last time any of you have gone to the friggen court house. Yeah. All races commit the same amount of crime. Sure. I believe you! When is the last time any of you went to a prison and looked at the racial statistics there. I moved into Orland Nearly 25 years ago and we didn't have nearly as many issues as we do now. We can thank Mayor Dailey for all of this. Alaska here I come.

I agree with one of the above posters about the spelling and grammar errors. If your intent is to sway the opinion of others, with what you may consider intelligent banter, please consider appropriating words that are within your everyday vocabulary. I digress, my above comment is applicable across many subjects. The point is, why try and portray your opinion as something other than what it really is? You may not consider yourself racist, an underlying fear of unknown is not racism,its fear. Racism is hatred not fear. I am not racist I'm socially aware. I live and work in Chicago Heights. A trip to the gas station exposes my wife to vulgar advances, propositions for drugs and many other incidents that an O.P. resident would most likely dial 911 over. It's life people deal with it. If you fear what you don't know enlighten your life.
My disclaimer(s): I choose to live in " the heights".
I by no means associate with criminals or plan to, conversely I also will not drive an extra hour or even 5 minutes to avoid a particular race.
I most certainly am not a bleeding heart liberal. I'm a realist.
My wife and i are both white, educated and we both earn respectable incomes even on an Orland scale. We just live well within our means.
I do own guns, but I also carried one for 28 months in the desert after 9/11. I will always protect what is around me.

The more liberal someone is the more they have an excuse for whatever their cause or feelings on a subject are.. They are more tolerant of faults and perceived slights. They feel they have a duty to defend and not generalize. Living with one is a challenge. Common sense is out the window. I have seen the hypocritical side boil over on occasion. It usually takes repetitive assaults against them then the racist comments will come. Its entertaining as hell.

I apologize for lack of expanding upon my statements above.
My being socially aware: I realize I don't live in the best town. So what. Has my car been broken into? Yes. I also had my rental car broken into at the Ritz in Hawaii on my honeymoon. Stuff happens. Does my wife get annoyed by the things she experiences while running about doing things? Absolutely, Do I hide everytime I see a young black man somewhere? No I say what's up or how's it going. And I'm usually greated with a similar response. I suppose my final point is let something rule your life. Be it racism, fear, addiction or ignorance if you allow your life to be ruled by it, then you shall be overcome by it.

Mayor Daley had the housing projects torn down, and a lot of the criminals were exported to the south suburbs. Then Daley could brag that: 'crime is down in the city'. Now the ex-Chicago criminals are preying on the black and white residents of the south & southwest suburbs.

Jessie Jackson is worried about criminals too.

"There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life," Jesse Jackson once told an audience, "than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery--then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved."

All of you spelling/grammar police kill me. Get a freaking life.
Thinking you have the right to correct someone must feed your enormous egos.
Gee, hope I used the correct spelling and punctuation! God forbid!

If a white girl had shot a minority, they would be screaming "hate crime". So, since a minority shot a white, is THIS being called a "hate crime"?

Wow, I am truly sad by all the racists comments. I was always taught that there is one race, the human race. Everybody is pink on the inside and we all bleed red. While I am upset about what happened, especially since I left JCP about 20 minutes before this happened I am not ready to throw all people of color under the bus. Unemployment, the economy and lack of education as well as poverty plays a big role in our society regardless if you wish to admit it or not. I am proud to be an American and I embrace all people, this is 2011 and I am truly ashamed that so may of you don't care about your country, but only care about your race, how sad for you.

I never understand the racist hatred that whites have towards blacks. Instead of coming together to solve real social economic issues that leads to this sort of crime. We continue to go down the path of ignorance and racial feuding about how blacks are the problem.

Whenever I here blacks complaining it is about real social issues that they are facing. Like the black unemployment rate in the mid teens. If you factor in all the blacks who are collecting welfare and unemployment benefits, and blacks who are underemployed working for minimal wage. The real black unemployment rate is much higher than that. somewhere around 40 percent. Considering that blacks have bore the brunt of poverty in this country since being brought here as slaves. Why don't we discuss how to bring the black unemployment rate down? Making blacks a part of our countries economic system. Until america makes these sort of commitments we aren't going to see a change in the dynamics.

can someone tell me the last time a white person went in a black hood and stuck them up ?

I love all the "we are so kind and tolerant of the races". BS. None of you want to
live next door to the "races" or have them over for a BBQ. So you can talk all you
want about tolerance and not being racist. Actions speak louder than words!!

Why doesn't someone use the Freedom of Information Act to obtain copies of all criminal incidents at Orland Square Mall? At least then people can use real numbers instead of assumptions.

Today is the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, a day when Americans of all races, beliefs and economic levels came together as one nation.

In honor of that day and in honor of that unity, please don't commemorate it by profane and hateful rants. This comment thread can and will be closed if the conversation has extended beyond its usefulness to this community.

Paul Dailing

I echo Paul's comments here regarding the tone and tenor of these comments. While many have bantered back and forth with passion, pointed comments and facts on this serious issue, we've had to delete several comments for their shameful profanity and offensiveness.

On this of all days, Patriot Day, enacted by Congress and the President just a few months after 9/11. One of the presidential proclamations reads:

"The Americans we lost came from every color, faith, and station. They were cherished family members, friends, and fellow citizens, and we will never forget them. Yet, against the horrific backdrop of these events, the American people revealed the innate resilience and compassion that marks our Nation. ...

"In the wake of loss and uncertainty, Americans from every corner of our country joined together to demonstrate the unparalleled human capacity for good."

Patch h as profiled many brave and compassionate people in recent days who exemplify the American spirit. You can find their stories here:

http://orlandpark.patch.com/articles/patchs-911-tenth-anniversary-guide

If you'd like to return to the story about this serious crime in Orland Park and offer more comments, please keep it civil. Otherwise, your user account will be suspended and we will close this forum.

Dennis Robaugh
regional editor, Chicago

I always find it odd that when walking around a diverse chicago northside neighborhood like rogers park. You can have different races and people of different nationalities sharing the same area. Blacks, whites, christians, jews, muslims, etc. I see both white and black women walking around the streets alone at night with no problem. The same thing in hyde park, bucktown, wicker park, logan square, and many other chicago neighborhoods.

Why is it that the racial paranoia and tension from residents is so high in a suburb like orland park. A boring middle income suburb that has less than a 1 percent black population. Mostly because blacks have no interest at all in moving to orland park. Even a lot of white people these days don't want to live in an all white far flung suburb like orland park. Why would race relations even be a problem in orland park as there aren't many blacks even living there? Even nearby wealthy Frankfort has way more blacks than orland park. And Frankfort is much more desirable. In my opinion living in orland park is a very dull way to live life. Duller than most suburbs even. If I had to live in a suburb, it would be one with racial diversity like oak park or evanston. This type of mindset is why I made the decision to raise my kids in the city.

Your machine is broken. How many times are you going to be sending the same update?

Speaking as a resident from Orland Park, I do believe the people here are too quick to judge. And to make this sound the least bit conceited, I do tend to have a more unique style and I wear lots of pretty dresses; and God forbid I wear it out to the mall or Marcus Theaters everybody stares. Like "oh I'm sorry I have a sense of fashion". The other day I hear a lady say to me in the middle of Target "oh I bet she's just trying to gain attention in that outfit". So even though that is just one little person who was too quick to judge, she represents a whole lot of people in Orland Park. I'll admit that I am the same way; if I see a black man walking down the sidewalk in my subdivision, I'm GOING to think he's up to something. Just a natural human reaction. But in Orland Park, judgements are taken way too far.

http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/streeracpripov.html

Word to the wise
"In my opinion living in orland park is a very dull way to live life. Duller than most suburbs even"

I guess you would be happier with Orland Park if it had diversity like:

crack heads, gang bangers, homeless people pushing shopping carts, wino's laying in the gutter with a bottle in a brown paper sack, lots of garbage in the streets, broken bottles everywhere, lots of boarded up houses,unpainted houses, junked cars sitting in vacant lots, drug dealers on every other corner, prostitutes walking the streets, lots of store front church's, rapist & purse snatchers hiding in the bushes, beggars and panhandlers blocking the sidewalks.

The DULL people of Orland Park don't know what they are missing!