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Paddock Mall shooting in Ocala, Florida: 1 killed, 1 injured
OCALA, FLORIDA — A man was killed in a gunshot at a shopping mall in central Florida two days before Christmas, according to police, who said the victim was “targeted” for the crime.
According to Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, the guy died after being shot numerous times in a common area at Paddock Mall in Ocala, which is roughly 80 miles northwest of Orlando. According to authorities, a woman was shot in the leg.
According to Balken, the suspect fled the area and left the handgun behind.
Police were called to the mall at 3:40 p.m. after receiving a report of many rounds being fired.
“Officers immediately made entry into the mall (and) ultimately discovered that this was not what we would consider an active shooter,” Balken told the media at the time.
Several persons were injured as a result of the shooting’s aftermath.
Several other mall guests were reportedly injured during the incident, with one claiming chest discomfort and another reporting a fractured arm, according to authorities.
WPG, the mall’s owner, was contacted by email. There are hundreds of retailers in the mall, including J.C. Penney and Foot Locker.
Calvin and Diana Amos, who were shopping at J.C. Penney, told the Ocala Star-Banner that they rapidly exited the store as they realized what was happening. They characterized themselves as terrified and worried.
Related videos: Officials say a Florida deputy was shot.
Other injuries stemming from the incident included chest pains and a broken arm, Balken said.
Police recovered a firearm from the scene believed to have been used in the shooting, Balken said.
UPDATE: There is no longer an active shooting situation. There are multiple people injured. The suspect is believed to have fled. The mall is being evacuated at this time. Please avoid the area as police investigate. https://t.co/j8Uk5iYjob
— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) December 23, 2023
Following the incident, the mall, filled with customers ahead of the holiday, was evacuated.
“This is the worst thing we can imagine right now at this time of the year,” he remarked. “Someone in their family has suffered a loss.” This should never happen at this time of year. It’s especially depressing during the holidays.”
Balken stated that the mall would be closed for the next 12 hours due to the investigation and advised visitors to avoid the area.
During the search for the alleged gunman, police have requested witnesses to come forward.
“There was a lot of people here shopping at the mall, which means there’s a lot of witnesses that could potentially help us bring this case to a successful resolution,” Balken told reporters.
Syriah Williams, 18, told ABC News that she was shopping with her mother at Bath & Body Works when she heard three bullets fired and “chaos erupted.”
“The employees opened the back storage area and told everyone to run,” Williams recounted from behind the store’s counters.
Jennifer Hunt Murty, owner of the Ocala Gazette, told ABC News Radio that she was working at a gift-wrapping station when shooting erupted approximately 10 feet away.
“We dropped to the ground,” she explained. “I texted the police chief and said active shooter in the mall, and he responded right away.”
She stated that she texted the chief the location of the injured victims so that doctors could reach them, and that after it was safe, she began interviewing and photographing individuals.
“You never know how you’re going to react in those situations, but I went to work,” she told me
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