Florida shooting: Man opens fire in mall, one dead, several injured

Florida, US: A man died in a shooting at a shopping mall in central Florida on Saturday afternoon, Ocala Police chief Mike Balken informed. A woman was also shot in leg, according to sources.

Balken stated that police received 911 calls reporting many rounds fired inside Pdock Mall, with caller reporting an "active shooter scenario," and that a large police force was deployed to location to deal with situation.

suspect fled scene and left behind firearm, Balken said. Police responded to scene around 3:40 p.m. after calls of multiple shots being fired at mall.

“Officers immediately me entry into mall (and) ultimately discovered that this was not what we would consider an active shooter,” Balken told reporters. 

Several or mall visitors were reportedly injured during incident, with one reporting chest pain and anor reporting a fractured arm, according to authorities.

According to police chief, mall will be closed for next 12 hours while investigation proceeds.

He also urged witnesses to come forward while authorities seek suspect.

A woman who owns a store in mall later stated that she h alerted police about mall shooter.

J.C. Penney and Foot Locker are among many retailers in mall.

Calvin and Diana Amos, who were shopping at J.C. Penney, told Ocala Star-Banner that y rapidly evacuated store once y observed what was going on. y described mselves as terrified and frightened.

This is a developing story, furr details awaited. 

(With agency inputs)