BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was searching for one of two suspects who were involved in a shooting at the Westfield Brandon Mall on Monday.
Officials said the deputy went undercover to buy weapons in an effort to get guns off the street. They agreed to meet the seller in the parking lot outside Macy’s and the Cheesecake Factory.
During the transaction, a person with the group selling the guns pulled out a weapon and tried to rob the deputy.
Deputies who were monitoring the situation nearby were able to intervene. When they tried to make an arrest, two suspects fled on foot and shot at deputies. No injuries were reported.
One suspect, Jordan Gracia, 19, was taken into custody. Another person remains on the run. Their description was not immediately available.
Deputies said Gracia was arrested on 26 felony charges and 14 misdemeanors, including an armed burglary charge. He faces multiple charges after Monday’s incident, including armed robbery and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
- ‘Bloom Health Club’ Podcast Preview: Performance & Mindset Coach Debbie Lundberg talks ‘Active Love’ in wake of hurricanes
- It was a question of which of the two she preferred. On the one hand, the choice seemed simple. The more expensive one with a brand name would be the choice of most. It was the easy choice. The safe choice. But she wasn’t sure she actually preferred it.
- Heartfelt Brushstrokes: Pink Dragon Ladies dedicate memorial wall to fallen members
- WFLA DAY: News Channel 8 to broadcast live from the Florida Strawberry Festival
It’s unclear what charges the other person faces at this time.