Gainesville, Florida – A 19-year-old was arrested Saturday after a reported shooting at The Oaks Mall prompted evacuations and a multi-agency law enforcement response.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Combined Communications Center received multiple 911 calls during the afternoon hours of Saturday, February 14, reporting gunfire inside the mall. Deputies and officers with the Gainesville Police Department arrived within minutes and began clearing the building while canvassing surrounding areas for a suspect matching descriptions provided by callers and witnesses.
Authorities said early information indicated the suspect fled the mall on foot and discarded a firearm nearby. While searching, Deputy O. Swilley with ASO’s FOCUS Unit was flagged down by a resident who reported seeing a person running through a nearby yard. Deputy Swilley responded to the area and located an individual later identified as 19-year-old Elijah Wilson.
Wilson was allegedly detained by Gainesville Police officers and placed under arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
ASO deputies later recovered a black semi-automatic handgun in a culvert behind the Hobby Lobby store. The weapon was turned over to the Gainesville Police Department as the investigation continued.
Officials thanked community members who called 911 and followed instructions to safely exit the mall. Authorities have not released information about injuries as of Saturday evening.
The incident disrupted weekend shopping and raised safety concerns among families and student workers in the area. The investigation remains ongoing.
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