OCALA, Fla. – A 21-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy in the parking lot of the Paddock Mall in Ocala around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.
Officers said when they got to the scene, the victim’s sedan was shot multiple times. The woman was found outside the entrance of the mall and the boy was found inside the mall, according to police.
Authorities said an 18-month-old toddler was inside the car at the time of the shooting, but the toddler was not injured.
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The 21-year-old woman and 17-year-old boy are in stable condition and the police said they are expected to survive. Officers said each victim had a single gunshot wound in the arm.
Investigators said they recovered about 15-18 shell casings in the parking lot. According to a report, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI responded to the scene.
“It is alarming the amount of violence that has taken place in recent months,” Police Chief Mike Balken said.
OPD said they have reason to believe the victims were targeted and are actively investigating the incident.
Police did not say what led up to the shooting, the names of the victims nor have they given information on any possible suspects.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates.