Violent Brawl Shuts Down Walden Galleria Mall

Stabbing incident leads to arrests and injuries at major Buffalo-area shopping center

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A fight between several women at the Walden Galleria mall in Cheektowaga, New York, escalated into a violent stabbing incident on Friday, February 13, 2026. Three people were injured and two women were arrested on charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The incident prompted officials to shut down the entire mall for the night.

Why it matters

While overall crime rates have been declining, incidents of violence in public spaces like shopping malls can still occur, raising concerns about public safety and the need for continued vigilance and security measures in these high-traffic areas.

The details

According to reports, the fight broke out near the Starbucks and JCPenney stores in the Walden Galleria. The altercation led to at least three people being stabbed, with the injured parties transported to the Erie County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested Lakeya Richerson, 22, and Joshalyn Paul, 21, on charges related to the incident. After the fight was brought under control, officials from the Cheektowaga Police Department and the mall's property management company, Pyramid Companies, decided to shut down the entire Walden Galleria for the remainder of the night.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Lakeya Richerson

A 22-year-old woman arrested and charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon in relation to the Walden Galleria incident.

Joshalyn Paul

A 21-year-old woman arrested and charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon in relation to the Walden Galleria incident.

Cheektowaga Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the incident at the Walden Galleria.

Pyramid Companies

The property management company that owns and operates the Walden Galleria mall.

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What’s next

The Cheektowaga Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident, and the two women arrested are expected to appear in court in the coming days.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder that even in relatively safe communities, vigilance and security measures are still necessary to maintain public safety, especially in crowded, high-traffic areas like shopping malls.