Florence police arrest 2 teens in connection to deadly mall shooting; 1 still wanted

FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) - The Florence Police Department announced it has arrested two out of the three suspects wanted in connection to a deadly shooting outside of a Florence mall.

Police arrested 18-year-old Javon Norman and a 15-year-old boy around 6 p.m. Monday. The two are charged with murder, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and criminal conspiracy.

Authorities said they are also searching for a third person believed to be involved in the shooting.

Police released a surveillance picture of the third suspect in the case and asked anyone with information to contact Investigator Leggett with the Florence Police Department at 843-665-3191.

Florence police were called around 3 p.m. Sunday to Magnolia Mall for a shooting in the parking lot, where they found a person with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as 15-year-old Avery S. McDonald, was taken to the hospital where the teen later died.

Police said two suspects wearing masks came up to the victim’s car in the parking lot. One of the suspects then fired an unknown amount of shots. Authorities are calling it a “targeted” shooting.

Contina Davis was hosting an event inside the mall when all of a sudden chaos erupted.

“All I saw was people running. That’s all I saw was people running and screaming, ‘Get out, get out, get out, get out,” Davis described. “I saw the cops, I saw the drones, I saw just guns, and we were just running. I was scared for our lives.”

The two masked men then left the scene in the SUV, which was described as a gold, early-2000s model Ford Escape

The Florence Police Department said the use of Flock Safety Camera systems placed near Marion County helped investigators locate and identify the suspect vehicle.

The department added that investigative efforts and the help of surrounding jurisdictions helped officers identify two of the three possible suspects involved in the shooting.

Magnolia Mall released a statement on Sunday after the deadly shooting:

“We are devastated to learn of the shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Magnolia Mall. The mall closed for the remainder of the day. The safety of our mall tenants, employees, and customers is of utmost importance, and we continue to cooperate with authorities. We thank the Florence Police Department for their continued support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.”

Davis said she’s also praying for better days and hoping more teens don’t fall victim to the violence happening in the city and county.

“These young folks need to get it together, and we as adults, we need to pray for these young folks as a whole. Back in the day they say it takes a village, it takes a community,” Davis said.

The Florence Police Department also thanked people who have helped them in the investigation by providing vital information to help locate the suspects in the case.