Police: Penn Hills Man Threatens to Shoot People in the Robinson Mall

A Penn Hills man is facing charges, accused of threatening to shoot multiple people in the Mall at Robinson. 

Robinson police have charged Timothy Betta, 27, with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

Police said Betta approached a customer service booth June 29 and proceeded to loudly scream and use profanity enough to cause a disturbance. 

Police said Betta repeatedly told a mall employee that he was “going to Dick’s Sporting Goods to purchase a gun and come back to shoot multiple people in the mall.” He then told the employee, “don’t worry I won’t shoot you.”

Police said the employee was alarmed and mall security arrived.

Betta didn’t have any weapons, but police said he has been banned from the mall for six months in the past. He told police he was upset about comments that were made about monkeys and gorillas near a mall kiosk. 

Robinson EMS transported Betta to Western Psych for commitment after he agreed to be evaluated.