Dec 24, 2023
2 mins read
2 mins read

Man Killed, Woman Injured in ‘Targeted’ Shooting at Florida Shopping Mall

OCALA, Fla. (NEWSnet/AP) — A man died in a shooting Saturday at a shopping mall in Florida.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken told reporters Saturday he man was killed after he was shot multiple times in a common area at Paddock Mall in Ocala, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.

The attack likely was a “targeted act of violence,” Balken said.

A woman was shot in the leg. She was treated at a local hospital and expected to recover, Balken said.

The suspect fled the scene and left behind a firearm, Balken said.

Police arrived at the mall around 3:40 p.m. after a call of multiple shots being fired at the mall.

Several other mall patrons suffered injuries during the shooting, with one person having chest pain, another claiming a broken arm, police said.

Overnight, Ocala police posted photos of a person of interest, the images apparently taken from a mall security camera. It shows a male with a red cap and dark clothing. Balken had said the suspect wore a hooded sweatshirt and a mask partially covering his face.

The police asked the public for assistance by submitting mobile phone video of the shooting scene.

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