One person shot at Lakeland Square Mall

[JonathanBelles]

LAKELAND (Bay News 9) -- One person has been shot inside of the Lakeland Square Mall.

Jack Gillen of the Lakeland Police Department said that just after 3 p.m. a white male was shot by another male in front of the Petland store inside the mall.

"We did have information that two black males and two black females fled the scene and that one of the black males was the shooter in this case," Gillen said.

A witness told Bay News 9 that a young person between the ages of 16 and 20 was hit twice -- once in the arm and once in the chest.

The injured male was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center but his condition is not known.

A witness said that three young men with red bandanas were confronted by another group. The witness said one of the young men then took off his shirt and then three shots were fired.

Gillen said police are searching the mall as a precaution. He said police believe the suspects have fled the mall.

Gillen could not confirm that any suspects were wearing red bandanas or that the incident was gang related.

Police say witnesses described the suspects as two black or dark-skinned hispanic males and two black females. One is reportedly wearing a white jersey with blue and teal lettering and jeans. The other male is reportedly wearing a blue shirt with red lettering. One of the females was described as wearing a gold shirt and jeans with white spattering, and the other was wearing a white top and jeans.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008 ... quare+Mall

[JonathanBelles]

Police are 99% sure that the suspects have left the mall.

[JonathanBelles]

Suspects:
1) Black or dark skinned hispanic male last seen wearing a white jersey with blue and teal lettering and jeans.
2) Black or dark skinned hispanic male wearing blue shirt with red lettering.
3) Black female wearing gold shirt and jeans with white spattering.
4) Black female wearing white top and jeans.

[DaylilyDawn]

I bet it is gang related Fact. I have seen gang members at the the Lakeland Mall many times, that is why I rarely shop there.

[gtalum]

These shootings often ultimately put the mall on DeadMalls.com.

[DaylilyDawn]

The shooter is in custody in the Polk County jail right now. It was definitely gang related. Guy shot was a member of the "Bloods" and the shooter was a member of the "Crips" gang.