WATERFORD LAKES, Fla. – Three teens, including a 14-year-old girl, are expected to recover after being shot Saturday night at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, the Orange County Sheriffs’ Office said Monday.
The shooting happened around 8 p.m. near the movie theater at the outdoor shopping complex.
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Deputies said a group of teens were hanging out behind buildings at Waterford Lakes Town Center when someone shot at them from a vehicle.
A 14-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were struck by bullets, deputies said.
Detectives said there was a verbal altercation prior to the shooting, and they do not believe the shooting was a random act.
One of the victims is not cooperating with law enforcement, and the other victims and witnesses have provided very limited information, deputies said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that more patrols are being added near the Waterford Lakes Town Center area after the shooting.
Deputies said they are also calling for any witnesses, along with the victims, to help provide enough information to make an arrest.
Officials also said the argument among the teens is still part of an active investigation.
Orange County District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero said she was concerned about shooting, especially with how many people visit the town center on the weekends.
“Being that it happen this weekend and with teens it’s very concerning,” Codero said.
Cordero also said she wants to see more police patrolling and security around the area to help keep the community safe.
“We need to protect these students, we need to protect these teens, the high school students, the mall everything,” Codero said.
Tiffany R., a mother of two who just moved to the area, said she and her daughter were at the Waterford Lakes Town Center just before the shooting happened.
“It was actually really concerning. I recently moved into this area from out of state and I moved specifically because it’s rather safe,” Tiffany said.
She said although she usually feels safe around the Waterford Lakes area, the shooting has her more concerned.
She also said throughout the weekend she noticed more police patrols within the area. She is taking extra precautions with her daughter who frequently visits the town center, such as more check-ins, she said.
“I want them to have some freedom, but I also need them to be safe,” Tiffany said.
Tiffany’s 14-year-old daughter Carmen R. said she usually visits the town center with her friends.
“All my friends we hang out, like randomly call and say hey you want to go hangout and we do. So, it’s really scary that it’s right here,” Carmen said.
No information about the suspected shooter or vehicle has been released.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
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