Multiple people injured after shooting at Ocala’s Paddock Mall, police say

OCALA, Fla. – Ocala police said multiple people were injured after a shooting at the Paddock Mall on Saturday afternoon, WKMG Click Orlando reports.

Police said that there are a number of ambulances and a heavy police presence at the mall, which is located at 3100 SW College Road, two days before Christmas – a busy time for holiday shoppers.

Police initially described it as an “active shooting situation,” but later said that they believe that the suspect fled the scene.

The shooting comes on the heels of two separate shootings were reported in Ocala within around an hour of one another on Friday night, according to the police department.

Ocala police said the mall is being evacuated and have asked the public to avoid the area at this time.

This is a developing story.