Gunman firing at customers at a North Florida market stopped by deputies, sheriff says

Escambia County deputies stopped a gunman at a Pensacola area grocery store Thursday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a man began firing at customers inside Grocery Advantage in the 4300-block of Lillian Highway.

Deputies arrived shortly before 3 p.m. and returned fire.

“I know I speak not only for the sheriff’s office but all citizens of Escambia County, in thanking the fine men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism and courage,” Sheriff David Morgan said in a statement.

No civilians or law enforcement personnel were injured. The shooter, who was not publicly identified, was taken to the hospital.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.

This story was originally published August 15, 2019 at 9:06 PM.

C. Isaiah Smalls II

Miami Herald

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C. Isaiah Smalls II is a sports and culture writer who covers the Miami Dolphins. In his previous capacity at the Miami Herald, he was the race and culture reporter who created The 44 Percent, a newsletter dedicated to the Black men who voted to incorporate the city of Miami. A graduate of both Morehouse College and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Smalls previously worked for ESPN’s Andscape.