US: 1 Killed, 1 Injured In Shooting At Shopping Mall In Florida

According to Ocala Police, a man was killed and a woman sustained injuries after a shooting occurred inside a mall in Ocala, Florida.

A man was killed and a woman sustained injuries after a shooting occurred inside a mall in Ocala, Florida.

A man was killed and a woman sustained injuries after a shooting occurred inside a mall in Ocala, Florida, on Saturday afternoon, CNN reported, citing Ocala Police. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said that police received 911 calls about multiple shots fired inside the Paddock Mall. He further stated the call came in describing an “active shooter” scenario, so they responded with a heavy police presence.

“Officers immediately made entry into the mall and ultimately discovered this was not an active shooter situation,” Balken said, as quoted by CNN. He said that the police characterised the shooting incident as a targeted act of violence. Balken confirmed that one adult male was found dead inside the mall from gunshot wounds. He said one woman sustained a gunshot wound to her leg and was transported to a hospital. He further stated that she is likely to survive.

The Ocala Police Chief said that the Police are still searching for the suspect, who was described as a Black male wearing a black hoodie, black pants and a black mask over his face, CNN reported.

In a post on social media platform Facebook, the Ocala Police Department said that the parking lot has reopened for residents to retrieve their vehicles while the mall remains closed.

Syriah Williams, 18, told CNN she was shopping with her mother at the mall when the shooting happened. “We heard one shot, then a pause, then three other shots rang out, and chaos erupted,” she said in a message, as quoted by CNN. Williams stated that the employees at the mall opened the back storage area and instructed everyone to run.

Williams made her way through the storage area and down a hallway that led to a back exit, she said. WPG, owners of the Paddock Mall issued a statement Saturday night following the shooting:

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with all those involved. The safety of our guests, retailers and employees is our top priority. We are working closely with the Ocala Police Department as they investigate this incident,” as quoted by CNN.