10/14/2026
We stand united with our fellow business owners and the ownership of the Johnstown Galleria during this incredibly difficult time. Please see all of the business's official statements regarding the tragic accident this past Saturday and the unfair rumors currently circulating in our community. We ask everyone to read , share, and help us focus our efforts on supporting those who are truly grieving.
That being said,
As business owners at the Johnstown Galleria, we are heavy hearted following the tragic accident at the mall this past Saturday October 10th. As tenants, we continue to grieve and mourn the loss of Nelson and our thoughts remain with his family and loved ones.
It has been incredibly disheartening to see the owner of the mall, Leo, continually targeted with blame for this incident, as well as other incidents that were completely outside of his control. This includes the hot air balloon incident at a carnival sponsored by Sheetz for "Shop with a Cop" , where Leo graciously allowed the use of his parking lot. The event was entirely the responsibility of the balloon owners, operators, and event sponsors.
In reality, Leo has fully cooperated with law enforcement and has been transparent with the investigation into the recent accident. He has acted with immense grace and responsibility while grieving the loss of Nelson, whom he revered as a son and part of his family. He has personally stepped in to cover all expenses to return Nelson home and ensure his family is taken care of.
OSHA will be on-site to review the situation, as is standard procedure, and we fully support a factual and transparent look into what happened. Until then, we ask everyone to stop the unfair attacks. Let's focus our energy on supporting each other and honoring Nelson's memory.
To state factually, Nelson was not married and did not have children. These baseless rumors and accusations do nothing but harm what is already a tragic situation. We also ask the public to take heed into who you send money to, ensuring it is legitimate. There are unfortunately individuals who are not family or friends trying to capitalize on the death of Nelson.
We thank you for your cooperation as we all grieve, and take time to uplift and carry one another thru this difficult time.
