One man killed, one woman shot in the leg at Paddock Mall in Ocala; shooter at large
Law officers rushed to the Paddock Mall just before 4 p.m. Saturday in response to a call about a shooting. This is the first case like this at the mall in more than two years. In August 2021, two people were shot and injured in the parking lot.
Here is what we know about Saturday's case:
One man killed, one woman shot in the leg, multiple people with injuries
At a news conference Saturday evening, the Ocala Police Department reported that one man was killed in the shooting at the Paddock Mall. Also, a woman was shot in the leg.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken made the announcement. Joining him were Marion County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Robert Douglas, FHP Capt. Greg LaMont, Ocala Fire Rescue Chief Clint Welborn and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano.
The deceased was described only as an adult male, and he is believed to have been the shooter's intended target. Later on, police officials identified the victim as David Nathaniel Barron, 40.
Balken said officers were told it was an active shooter situation. However when they arrived on scene, they did did not encounter an active shooter. The victim was discovered in a mall common area.
The shooter ran from the scene, police said. As of 6:10 p.m. he had not been found. However, police said they did recover the weapon.
Ocala police received the call at 3:40 p.m. and initiated an aggressive response. Multiple other agencies also responded, and the mall was quickly evacuated.
Several people suffered related injuries after the shooting, including one person suffering a broken arm and at least one person reporting chest pain.
The chief said the mall will be closed for hours for evidence gathering and asked residents to avoid State Road 200. Officers were conducting a secondary sweep of the mall and continuing to investigate.
At 9:45 p.m., the mall's parking lot was almost empty, with the only vehicles left belonging to police. The meticulous process of collecting evidence went on for hours. As of 2 a.m., police officials were still gathering clues and information relating to the shooting.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Ocala police at 352-369-7000 or Ocala CrimeStoppers at 368-STOP or www.ocalacrimestoppers.com
— Austin L. Miller
Watch Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken address the media after the shooting
Here's a look at the chief's news conference:
News conference will start soon
At 5:40 p.m., reporters were gathering outside the former Sears Auto Center at the mall, awaiting the Ocala Police Department news conference, which is expected to begin soon.
Most of the people who evacuated the mall have left the premises. There are still many vehicles parked outside.
The SWAT Team, multiple ambulances and multiple fire and police vehicles remain on scene.
— Austin L. Miller
Where is the Paddock Mall?
The mall is located at 3100 SW College Road (State Road 200,) just east of Interstate 75.
The anchor stores include Belk, JCPenney and Macy's. Sears closed a few years ago.
The food court has a Chick-fil-A, among other outlets, and the Starbucks is a popular spot inside the mall.
Multiple injuries; shooter reportedly has fled
On Facebook, the Ocala Police Department reports that several people were injured in the shooting and the shooter reportedly has left the mall area.
'Scared' and 'apprehensive'
One family told a Star-Banner reporter that they were inside the food court when they heard two or three shots. One of the food court vendors was telling patrons to quickly move to their area to hide. Eventually, the family got the all-clear sign to evacuate.
A store manager who declined to give her name had her arm around one of her young employees, comforting her, as they walked outside the mall toward Zaxby's and Goodwill, on the east edge of the mall. The manager said she heard three shots. She got people to exit out the back of her store and into a parking area.
Calvin and Diana Amos were shopping in JCPenney. They did not hear any shots, but they quickly figured out what was happening and evacuated. They said they were "scared" and "apprehensive."
— Austin L .Miller
Police news conference scheduled at the Paddock Mall
The Ocala Police Department has said that a press conference about this incident will be held outside the mall, near the former Sears Auto Center, some time after 5 p.m. The Star-Banner will be there and provide reports of what police have to say.
— Austin L. Miller
Mall evacuation
At 4:32 p.m., people were streaming out of the mall. They were calm and orderly. The Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office had a heavy presence on site. Fire rescue teams from the county and city also were on site assisting in the operation, as were representatives from the Florida Highway Patrol.
— Austin L. Miller
'I dropped everything and ran'
Megan Garcia was at Kay Jewelers inside the mall when she heard two gunshots. She said she "blacked out." She already had paid for some items.
"I dropped everything and ran," Garcia said.
A woman named Melissa said she was shopping for perfume inside the mall when she heard "pow pow."
She was told that the mall was on lockdown and everyone needed to get out. She did so.
— Austin L. Miller
A shooting at the Paddock Mall in Ocala
Sirens could be heard Saturday afternoon in Ocala as law officers rushed to the mall, 3100 SW College Road (State Road 200.)
At 4:20 p.m., the Ocala Police Department posted a brief message on its Facebook page:
"OPD is responding to an active shooting situation that occurred at the Paddock Mall. There is a heavy police presence on scene and we will provide more information as it becomes available. Please avoid the area at this time."
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Paddock Mall shooting in Ocala, Florida: One man dead; shooter at large
