A man was hospitalized on Saturday morning after an argument in an Orange City shopping plaza parking lot escalated into gunfire.
Orange City Police Department officers responded to the Market Place Plaza at around 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, in reference to reports of a disturbance, according to OCPD.
When officers arrived at the parking lot outside of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, they located a 46-year-old male victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening at this time, according to Orange City police.
A preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the victim and the two suspects in this case – described as a Hispanic male and white female – were strangers that had gotten into a verbal altercation in the parking lot. While arguing, the male suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim and pulled the trigger, striking the victim in the back.
Immediately after the shooting, the two suspects allegedly fled the area in a four-door black Mazda car. Investigators noted that the female suspect was driving the vehicle and the male suspect was a passenger.
Both suspects remain at large, and police stated in a press release that the shooting incident remains an active investigation.
No further details were provided by law enforcement.
If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Orange City Police Department via phone (386-775-9999) or email ([email protected]).