A fatal shooting occurred inside a shopping center in the state of Florida, in which one person lost his life, while another was injured, in a conflict in which the suspect fled, according to authorities from the city of Ocala.
The incident occurred at the Paddock Mall, a shopping center in the city, which is located about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Blaken told the media that the deceased man was shot several times in a common area of the mall and that the injured woman was hit by a bullet in the leg.
The police chief added that the suspect abandoned the firearm at the scene and fled in a vehicle. However, police have not revealed the identity or motive of the attacker, but said the victim was the “target” of the shooting.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Balken noted. “This was something directed at this specific person.”
Police received several emergency calls around 3:40 p.m. local time, and shots were reported at the mall. Officers arrived at the scene and entered the building to secure the area and treat the injured.
“Officers immediately entered the mall, (and) ultimately discovered that this was not what we would consider an active shooter,” Balken told reporters.
In addition to the two people shot, other mall customers were injured during the shooting. One person suffered chest pain and another reported that his arm was broken, local authorities said.
After what happened, the shopping center was evacuated and temporarily closed while the police carried out investigations. The owner of the shopping center, WPG, has not issued any statement on the matter.
Some witnesses recounted the panic that occurred in the shopping center during the fatal shooting.
Calvin and Diana Amos, who were shopping at the JC Penney store, told the local Ocala Star-Banner newspaper that they ran out of the store when they heard the gunshots.
“We were in the shoe section and we heard a ‘pop, pop, pop,’” Calvin Amos said. “We thought it was a balloon or something, but then we saw people running and screaming.”
For her part, witness Diana Amor gave her own version of the terrifying episode: “We went out the back door and saw a woman bleeding on the floor (…) It was very scary.”
Meanwhile, police authorities asked citizens to stay away from the shopping center until normality is restored. Likewise, they asked for the collaboration of anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect.
“This is a tragedy and we are working to find whoever is responsible and bring them to justice,” Balken said.
With information from CNN / Fox News
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