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A Houston man has gone viral after being caught red-handed for shoplifting at Galleria Mall in Houston, Texas. But the part that made him internet famous overnight was the accompanying video footage of the incident. The viral clip shows the suspect jumping off a second-floor rail to escape the cops and landing straight onto the hard ice rink. The man was left with two broken legs and transported to the hospital, awaiting to be formally charged.
On Sunday, June 22, around 2:20 p.m., chaos erupted at the Galleria Mall in the Uptown District. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed pending formal charges, allegedly stole a pair of sunglasses. CCTV footage shows him taking the item from the store. Houston Police Department officers reportedly got the call about the theft and spotted the man shortly after. But what started as a routine shoplifting check turned into a dramatic chase through the malls upper level.
The suspect, feeling from officers, sprinted toward a second-floor railing overlooking the Gallerias indoor ice skating rink. In a shocking move, he leapt over the railing, aiming to evade the police. Witnesses say he even yelled, Come get me! before taking the plunge straight onto the ice rink below him. Seconds later, the man appears unfazed by his broken legs as he hops on his mobile device while a nearby onlooker wearing ice skates attempts to help him.
As mentioned, the man hit the ice rink hard, legs first, and the impact appeared brutal. According to reports, his legs buckled instantly, leaving him sprawled out and unable to move. Ken Gilliard, who was near the rink, described the scene. Per Click2Houston, he said, “I seen the Zamboni coming out to clear the ice, and then I just see somebody fall.”Another onlooker, Martyn Norris, put it bluntly while speaking to Fox26 Houston:
He jumped straight down, tried to land, and when he hit the ice, his legs literally went out from under him, they snapped.
Houston Fire Department paramedics rushed the suspect to a nearby hospital, where hes being treated for severe leg injuries, including fractures to both legs.
Once video footage of the incident surfaced on X (formerly known as Twitter), it wasnt long before the Houston man became a trending topic.
In one X post, which has received over 8 million views, people shared their thoughts in the comments section. Peep some of their reactions below
@EpleezeMusic wrote, Soooo, can we say those Glasses Cost AN ARM AND Two LEGS. TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MYSELF OF COURSE
@CryptoRoadBuild wrote, That ice floor is harder than a concrete floor. That’s why his legs broke/split from just a 15 ft jump after hanging from 20ft
@imJohnWess wrote, The way he looked at his legs like he had no idea what happened
@ChasingLions_ wrote, bro shoulda just taken the L and got arrested. rehab gonna be painful
@carolki13 questioned, Even if he didnt land on an ice rink, what did he expect was gonna happen!??
@metal_gear88 wrote, Is he checking his phone with broken legs?
Houston Police Department officials have kept details tight. However, after his hospital release, hes expected to face charges of theft and evading arrest. Police havent confirmed whether drugs or alcohol were involved. Additionally, theyre holding off on releasing the mans identity until charges have been filed. The HPD noted this isnt the first high-profile incident at the Galleria. They cited a recent officer-involved shooting in the malls parking garage, per FOX26 Houston. For now, though, the suspects dramatic escape attempt has left him immobilized and the malls ice rink with a viral story no one will forget anytime soon.
