No Active Shooting at Oaks Mall in Gainesville

Police confirm incident was an isolated incident between a couple and three male suspects

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Gainesville Police Department has confirmed that there was no active shooting situation at the Oaks Mall on the evening of February 14th. The incident involved a male and female couple who were shopping at Kay Jewelers when three male suspects entered the store and confronted the male victim. The victim pulled out a handgun and fired a shot as he was falling, and all parties then fled the scene.

Why it matters

The initial reports of an active shooter at a busy mall caused significant concern and panic in the community, especially given the recent anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The quick response and clarification from police helped to alleviate fears and provide reassurance that this was an isolated incident.

The details

According to the Gainesville Police Department's Facebook post, the incident occurred at the Kay Jewelers store inside the Oaks Mall. Three male suspects entered the store and confronted a male victim who was shopping with a female companion. As the victim was falling, he produced a handgun and fired a single shot. All four individuals then fled the scene. The victim was later located a few blocks away, and the handgun was found in a nearby drain. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

  • The incident occurred around 5:30 pm on February 14, 2026.
  • The Gainesville Police Department confirmed there was no active shooting situation on their Facebook page that same evening.

The players

Gainesville Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident at the Oaks Mall and provided updates to the public.

Alachua County Sheriff's Office

The county law enforcement agency that assisted in locating the male victim a few blocks away from the mall.

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What they’re saying

“It was determined that a male and female couple were shopping at Kay Jewelers when three male suspects entered the store and jumped the male. As the victim was falling down he produced a handgun and fired a shot. All four people then fled the scene.”

— Gainesville Police Department (Gainesville Police Department Facebook page)

What’s next

The Gainesville Police Department stated the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of clear and timely communication from law enforcement to the public during potentially dangerous situations. The quick response and clarification from the Gainesville Police Department helped to prevent widespread panic and reassure the community that there was no active threat.