OCALA, FL – A violent incident at a Florida shopping center resulted in one fatality and another person wounded, according to authorities on Saturday. The event unfolded at the Paddock Mall in Ocala, where local law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire in the afternoon.
The Ocala Police Department confirmed the death of one individual and the injury of another in the incident. The injured party, a woman, is currently receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility and is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities reported that the assailant seems to have escaped the premises post the incident. Following the shooting, the mall was promptly cleared of patrons and staff. The police, during a subsequent press briefing, indicated that the shooting may not have been a random act of violence but rather a targeted one.
The area surrounding the mall was cordoned off, and the public was urged to steer clear while the police conducted their investigation. The mall, a popular local shopping destination, was left eerily quiet as the investigation unfolded.
The police are currently on the hunt for the suspect who is still at large. Further details about the incident will be released as the investigation progresses.