A shooting at Paddock Mall in Ocala, Florida, killed one and injured several.
Florida Mall Shooting Leaves One Dead and Several Injured in Targeted Incident
According to police, an active shooter was reported at 3:40 p.m. After entering the mall to confront the accused shooter, authorities found no active threat. They found a shooting and the suspect fleeing.
An adult male victim was found dead from numerous gunshot wounds in a mall commons. A woman was hospitalized with non-life-threatening leg gunshot wounds.
Other mallgoers were injured, including one with chest trouble and another with a fractured arm. While fleeing, the suspect left the gun. Police evacuated the mall and advised visitors to stay away during the inquiry, even though there was no threat. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said the perpetrator was still at large and the event was a targeted shooting.
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Florida Mall Shooting: Investigation Underway as Police Seek Suspect, Mall Remains Closed
The mall’s parking lot reopened around 8 p.m., but the mall remained closed while police investigated. Anyone who captured the mall shooting should give detectives the footage. The authorities stressed that the culprit is being sought, not that the shooting is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting can call Ocala Crime Stoppers at 352-368-7867.
Recent claims of an active gunman at a California Disneyland hotel were false. Meanwhile, three Tacoma police officers were cleared of all charges in the 2020 police custody death of a man. After the mall shooting, Ocala residents and authorities attempt to find the perpetrator.
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