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Police Search for Suspect in Fatal Shooting at Ocala Mall

(CNN) — Authorities are intensifying their search for the individual responsible for a deadly shooting that occurred inside a bustling shopping mall in Ocala, Florida, on Saturday. This tragic incident took place during one of the busiest shopping days of the year, leaving one person dead and another injured.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken has stated that the shooting appears to be a targeted act of violence. The victim, identified as 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was found lifeless in a common area of the mall, succumbing to gunshot wounds. Fortunately, a woman who was shot in the leg is expected to recover.

The unidentified suspect fled the scene on foot immediately after the shooting. Balken described the suspect as a Black man wearing black pants, a hoodie, and a black mask.

The distressing incident unfolded at the Paddock Mall, just two days before Christmas. Analysts anticipated that this day would be second only to Black Friday in terms of consumer activity, as last-minute shoppers hurried to check off their holiday gift lists. This unfortunate event further highlights the alarming prevalence of gun violence in America, permeating nearly every aspect of daily life.

Shockingly, the Gun Violence Archive reports that over 42,000 deaths have occurred due to firearms in 2023 alone. Tragically, more than 18,400 of these deaths resulted from homicides.

With the aim of identifying the suspect, the police have released several images of a “person of interest” in the case. This individual, seen wearing dark clothing, white sneakers, and a red hat, is being sought for questioning.

Balken acknowledged that there were numerous witnesses present at the mall during the shooting, emphasizing the potential significance of their testimony in resolving the case successfully.

The Ocala Police Department received the initial distress call around 3:40 p.m., reporting multiple shots fired. Responding swiftly, law enforcement arrived at the scene with a heavy presence, as the call initially indicated an “active shooter” situation.

“Upon entering the mall, officers quickly determined that this was not an active shooter scenario,” Balken stated during a news conference.

Police officers discovered the victims and retrieved the firearm believed to be used in the shooting.

Syriah Williams, an 18-year-old who was shopping with her mother at the time of the incident, recounted the terrifying experience. According to Williams, “We heard a single shot, followed by a pause, and then three more shots were fired, causing chaos to erupt.” She further added that mall employees swiftly directed everyone to evacuate through the back storage area.

As of Saturday night, the mall remained closed, as announced by the Ocala Police Department on their Facebook page. However, the parking lot was reopened to allow individuals to retrieve their vehicles.

The-CNN-Wire

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