‘Targeted’ Mass Shooting Rocks Lakeland, Florida: Suspects At Large

A mass shooting rocked Lakeland, Florida, on Monday afternoon — leaving at least ten people injured, two of them critically so.

According to a Report CNN reports that there were at least four shooters in a dark blue four-door Nissan Nissan that arrived on the scene and drove off immediately after the shooting was finished.

“The vehicle slowed, did not stop, and the four windows went down. It appeared to be occupied by four shooters in the vehicle,” Chief Sam Taylor, Lakeland Police Department explained. “They started firing from all four windows of the vehicle and shooting males on both sides.”

Taylor stated that the police believed the shooting was targeted. He also noted that the temporary tags on the blue Nissan were being used as a search and that an active investigation was ongoing.

“We will be out most of the night trying to figure out who these individuals are in the vehicle,” Taylor was also mentioned.

Taylor stated that police believe there was likely to have been marijuana sales at the time Taylor described it as. “Whether that is significant or related to this is unknown.”

According to a Monday afternoon press conference, four officers were on the scene just one minute after the calls came in reporting the shooting — and they were able to locate three victims and have them transported to local hospitals. After reportedly receiving non-life-threatening injuries, the remaining victims were taken to the hospital in their personal vehicles.

WATCH:

JUST IN – 10 victims were wounded in a drive by shooting in Lakeland (Florida east of Tampa); 4 suspects are suspected. Police believe this was a targeted attack and not an accident. @livenowfox pic.twitter.com/54dTuGyMm9

— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowTV) January 31, 2023

Surveillance video captured audio from the scene as it rang out Monday afternoon.

Exclusive video showing the moment shots that rang out in a Lakeland neighborhood, FL. 10 victims, 2 in critical conditions.

Police believe this was drug related – suspects still at large.

“This just doesn’t happen in Lakeland,” According to the chief of police,

Live at 11 @wfla. pic.twitter.com/qlzTuMoLVj

— Jack Royer (@JackRoyer) January 31, 2023

Gun control advocates quickly attempted to tie the shooting — which police believe was related to the drug dealing that was allegedly happening at the scene — to efforts by Republicans in the Florida legislature allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) tweeted, “My heart aches for the victims, families and whole community. America, esp. FLA, endures too many mass shootings. But don’t miss this sick reality: as Lakeland copes w/ this tragedy, @GovRonDeSantis and @TheFLGOP announced plans to put more guns in hands of untrained residents.”

My heart hurts for the victims, their families, and the entire community. America, esp. FLA is the victim of too many mass shootings. But don’t miss this sick reality: as Lakeland copes w/ this tragedy, @GovRonDeSantis Also see a-href=”https://twitter.com/TheFLGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@TheFLGOP Plans were announced to give more guns to untrained residents. https://t.co/uJXVCMH9Hl

— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) January 31, 2023

“Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in America. In #Lakeland, children had just exited their school bus nearby before this shooting. Turning #Florida into the Wild West will lead to more death and tragedy. Tell state lawmakers we want safer communities!” Kathy Castor, a Democratic congresswoman from Florida, was also added. 

Gun violence is the leading cause for death among children in America. In #LakelandChildren had just gotten off their school bus in the vicinity of the shooting scene before the incident.

Turning #Florida To live in the Wild West will only lead to more tragedy and death. Tell state lawmakers that you want safer communities! https://t.co/djN1xh7AvC

— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) January 31, 2023

Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) Weighed in also, saying, “JUST NOW: A mass shooting in Lakeland, Florida has left 10 people injured. Yet Ron DeSantis wants people to freely carry firearms without a permit, which will cause even more guns to fall into the hands of even more mass shooters.”

House Bill 543 Was introduced Monday’s Florida House vote allowed legal owners to carry concealed firearms without the need for a concealed-carry permit.

“The background checks, the requirements all the same. It’ll be the same honest people and the other states that have done this have had no problems. So that’s why we’re all excited about seeing this happen,” AW Peterson Gun Shop owner Carey Baker said.