Zumiez at The Mall in Columbia Reopening This Spring

A new barricade was installed at The Mall in Columbia outside Zumiez—which has been closed since the fatal shootings that occurred there in January—stating the shop will reopen soon.

The surf and skate store has been closed since Jan. 25, when Zumiez employees Brianna Benlolo, 21, and Tyler Johnson, 25, were shot by Darion Aguilar, 19, who then killed himself.

Before deciding to reopen, the store consulted with families of the victims, according to the Howard County Times, which reported a remodel will occur before reopening.

Zumiez plans to reopen in mid to late May, according to the Associated Press.

In the aftermath of the shootings, a barricade blocking visibility of the second-floor store became filled with memorial messages. Strangers gathered in prayer outside the temporary wall, where visitors wrote notes like "May angels lead you" and skateboards were mounted in memoriam.

The wall was cataloged for the families and replaced on March 25, according to the Howard County Times.

Police said at a March press conference that the shooter did not know the victims and a motive had not been determined, but the investigation was ongoing.

Related:

• Police Chief on Columbia Mall Shooting: 'Nobody Saw This Coming'
• HoCo Budgeting for Mental Health After Mall Shootings
• Police Show Timeline, Photos Chronicling Columbia Mall Shootings
• 3 Dead in Columbia Mall Shootings
• Columbia Mall Zumiez Employee: 'She was One of the Nicest People I've Ever Met'
• How to Donate to Columbia Mall Shooting Victims