You walk into a mall expecting a normal day of shopping and leave wondering how a routine encounter between acquaintances turned violent. Two women now face charges after an altercation at the Walden Galleria escalated into a stabbing that injured multiple people, and this article breaks down what happened, who’s involved, and what authorities say so you can understand the facts quickly.
The piece will walk through the confrontation on the lower level, how the fight escalated, and the immediate police response, then cover the arrests, the charges filed, and the status of the investigation. If you want clear, concise updates on the incident and its legal fallout, this will give you the essential details and context.
Altercation and Stabbing Incident
A fight between several women inside the Walden Galleria escalated into a knife attack that left three people injured and two women arrested. Mall security and Cheektowaga Police quickly secured the scene while emergency medical services treated the wounded.
Timeline of Events at Walden Galleria
Shoppers reported a verbal confrontation near the lower concourse shortly before evening on Friday, February 13, 2026. The disagreement involved multiple women who, according to witnesses, appeared to know one another.
The argument turned physical and eyewitnesses say knives were produced during the scuffle. Mall staff and bystanders moved away as the altercation intensified and security radioed for help.
Cheektowaga Police arrived within minutes, located the parties involved, and took two women into custody at the scene. The mall briefly closed for law enforcement activity while investigators and first responders worked.
Details of the Stabbing and Victims’ Injuries
Three women suffered stab wounds during the fight on the mall’s lower level. Initial reports indicate the injuries ranged from non-life-threatening to more serious, and all were treated by emergency personnel on site.
At least one victim was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment. The other injured parties received medical attention either at the scene or at nearby hospitals.
Authorities later charged two women with multiple counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident. Reports say the defendants and victims were acquaintances, not random shoppers.
Role of Cheektowaga Police in Immediate Response
Cheektowaga Police officers established a perimeter and directed mall patrons away from the lower concourse to ensure safety. Officers interviewed witnesses and secured evidence while uniformed and plainclothes personnel managed crowd control.
Police detained two suspects at the scene and coordinated with emergency medical services to prioritize care for the injured. The Cheektowaga Police Department worked with mall security to clear the property and reopen areas once investigators finished processing the scene.
Investigators transported information and evidence to support assault and weapon charges; follow-up work included victim statements and reviewing mall video footage to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Suspects, Charges, and Ongoing Investigation
Two women were arrested after a confrontation at the Walden Galleria mall escalated into stabbings that left three people injured. Authorities say the defendants are known to the victims and that the Cheektowaga Police Department is treating the case as a violent altercation involving knives.
Lakeya Richerson and Joshalyn Paul: Background
Lakeya Richerson, 22, and Joshalyn Paul have been identified by police as the two women taken into custody after the incident on the mall’s lower-level concourse. Investigators report the women were involved in a dispute with several other women before weapons were produced and the fight turned violent.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene; mall security and Cheektowaga officers quickly moved shoppers away from a taped-off area while first responders treated the injured. Local reports link Richerson and Paul to the group involved, and authorities say the victims were acquaintances rather than strangers.
Assault and Criminal Possession of a Weapon Charges
Both Richerson and Paul face assault charges and counts of criminal possession of a weapon stemming from the use of knives during the altercation. Prosecutors allege each woman stabbed or otherwise injured at least one victim, which supports multiple assault counts.
Criminal possession of a weapon charges reflect state law that forbids carrying or using knives in a way that poses public danger; those charges can increase potential penalties if convicted. Bail and arraignment documents list the specific counts filed, and the complaint references injuries to three separate victims.
Current Legal Proceedings and Investigation Updates
Cheektowaga Police continue to investigate physical evidence and surveillance footage from the mall to clarify each defendant’s role. Officers have interviewed witnesses and reviewed video from the lower-level concourse; that material will inform charging decisions and prosecutor strategy.
Court proceedings are pending: arraignments have been scheduled and prosecutors are preparing discovery for defense counsel. Police say the investigation remains active, and additional charges or identifications are possible as detectives follow leads and corroborate witness statements.
Relevant reporting on the arrests and injuries includes coverage from the local media and the police department’s statements to the press, which outline the charges and ongoing investigative steps.
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