Syracuse, N.Y. — A security guard working at Destiny USA mall told his coworkers that he wanted to “shoot up” the mall and the upcoming Syracuse Pride parade, according to police.
The security guard has been fired, according to court documents. He has not been charged with a crime, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick confirmed.
On May 20, Bruce Laveck -- an employee of Allied United Security assigned at Destiny USA -- made comments to coworkers threatening to “shoot up” the mall and the upcoming Pride parade, according to a Syracuse police report.
The CNY Pride Festival and Parade is scheduled for June 10 at the Inner Harbor less than a mile from Destiny USA.
Laveck, 21, had only been working at Destiny as a security guard for a few weeks when he made the comments to coworkers. He also told coworkers that he would prefer to stab people at these locations so he could “see the life drain from their eyes,” according to the report.
His coworkers reported the comments to the security account manager at Destiny USA who notified police.
Laveck denied making the threats when questioned by the security account manager, according to the report. He was asked to leave the property until further notice.
Laveck was fired three days later, the report said. He was also warned that a trespass order was being put in place to prevent him from entering any property owned by Destiny USA.
He will be criminally prosecuted if he violates the trespass order, Fitzpatrick said.
There is no order banning him from the Pride parade but the Fitzpatrick said that organizers would be notified and police will be providing security.
On Thursday, the district attorney’s office filed a request for an Extreme Risk Protection Order against Laveck that was approved by Onondaga County Supreme Court Justice Robert Antonacci.
This order makes it illegal for Laveck to purchase or posess any type of firearm, including rifles and shotguns. The order also directs Syracuse police officers to search Laveck’s home for any firearms.
Police found a non-working firearm in Laveck’s home, Syracuse police spokesperson Lt. Matthew Malinowski said.
The police report, dated May 30, said that the investigation would remain open pending the potential for “additional police action.”
Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
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