BRANDON, Fla. — Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the Brandon Exchange shooting that happened on Wednesday evening.
More than 100 Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies responded to Brandon Exchange on Wednesday evening after reports of shots fired inside the mall.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said the first 911 call came in at 5:16 p.m. Five more calls followed over the next two minutes, reporting a possible shooter near the Verizon store.
Deputies were dispatched at 5:17 p.m., and the first deputy arrived just one minute later.
WATCH NOW: No one shot after altercation between two groups leads to gunfire at Brandon Exchange
More than 100 deputies, including K-9 units, drone teams and aviation personnel, helped secure the mall and search businesses to make sure shoppers and employees were safe.
Investigators said an altercation between two groups of people happened before shots were fired. Surveillance footage showed those involved leaving the mall as deputies arrived.
Through their investigation, they identified a 16-year-old boy who began firing a handgun. He now faces several charges, including minor in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in public, and attempted murder in the first degree with a premeditated firearm, among other charges.
No one was shot, but a store window was shattered, leaving an employee with a minor cut.
Witnesses describe panic inside Brandon Exchange
People who were inside Brandon Exchange when the shots were fired described a rush to find safety as businesses locked their doors and employees tried to protect customers.
Beck Morris, a 19-year-old cook at Red Robin, said he was working at the grill when the commotion suddenly began.
“I was over there on the grill just flipping burgers like usual and everyone started running, ‘Get inside, get inside.’ The doors are locked,” Morris said.
Morris said he heard what sounded like two or three gunshots before people began rushing through the restaurant and trying to reach the back.
“Everyone just started running. Straight through the restaurant, people trying to come into the back, people trying to get through the back door just so they could get safe,” Morris said. “It was a lot very, very quickly.”
Morris said his focus immediately shifted to getting people into the back of the restaurant and keeping them away from the windows.
The response extended to other businesses at the mall. The owner of the Chick-fil-A told Tampa Bay 28 that security quickly helped get people out of the building. She said 14 of her employees were inside when the shots were fired, including her son.
Outside the crime scene tape, Tampa Bay 28 also spoke with veteran Stoney Anderson, who said he and his girlfriend had originally planned to be at the mall around 5 to 5:30 p.m.
“I just hope no one didn't get hurt. I mean, I heard about the stampede that happened,” Anderson said.
Anderson said a change in his plans ultimately kept him away from the mall when the incident unfolded.
“It’s amazing because me and my girlfriend was planning to be here like around 5 or 5:30,” Anderson said.
He said it was especially difficult to see the scene unfold on Veterans Day, when he had planned to spend the day celebrating with family.
Detectives believe the shooting was an isolated incident and said there is no known threat to the public.
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"The response to this incident shows the strength and commitment of our team," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "This was an isolated incident between two groups, and our detectives will remain vigilant until those responsible are identified and arrested."
The investigation remains ongoing.
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