ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 19-year-old man accused in connection with a shooting that happened inside the Oaks Mall on Saturday.
The sheriff’s office said it began receiving multiple calls from witnesses about the incident.
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“I just had to run to my car because I heard what I thought was gunshots,” one caller said.
One caller reported seeing the alleged shooter toss the gun behind a Hobby Lobby store.
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Deputies immediately started searching for the individual identified as Elijah Wilson based on the witnesses’ descriptions. They also worked to clear the mall of any other threats.
A resident in a nearby neighborhood flagged down a deputy after she reported seeing Wilson run through her yard, ACSO said.
Wilson was located shortly after that encounter and arrested.
Deputies found a black semi-automatic handgun in the culvert behind the Hobby Lobby, which was turned over to the Gainesville Police Department.
No injuries were reported in the shooting.