Jake Skorheim: Ghost town malls are ‘playgrounds’ for gun violence amid Southcenter shooting

A shooting outside Southcenter Mall Wednesday evening sent stray bullets into nearby businesses. Fortunately, nobody was killed or injured.

This shooting has prompted reflection on the state of shopping malls, particularly those like Southcenter, which have faced challenges over the years. Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, feels that malls are just not safe anymore, calling them the “Devil’s playground.”

“Oh, it’s a ghost town, and it becomes dangerous,” Jake said. “It does because it’s a place where ne’er-do-wells, and I hate to use bad language like that, but hang out and can do bad things, then you find yourself like running from a restaurant that’s being shot up.”

Gunfire broke out around 6 p.m. near the mall’s southeast side, shattering windows at restaurants and an entrance. Tukwila police said the shooting was targeted. The people involved escaped before police arrived.

Spike O’Neills highlights malls turning into senior living communities

Co-host of “Jake and Spike,” Spike O’Neill, said malls are being turned into various facilities.

“I’ve seen these malls that have been turned into senior living communities,” he shared. “There’s a health care there, there’s a food court there, there are restaurants there, yeah, there’s, there’s a movie theater there that they all cater to seniors. Most of the places have been refurbished.”

He said even in Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing malls be turned into commercial spaces.

“One of his proposals is to take these commercial spaces and convert some of that to residential areas where you can workshop, live, play, eat, die,” he said.

Listen to the full conversation below: 

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.