ELLENTON, Fla. — A man was shot at a mall in Ellenton at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies say.
The 18-year-old man was shopping with a friend at the Ellenton Premium Outlets on Factory Shops Boulevard when three other men who he knew approached him and began to argue, Manatee County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The 18-year-old's friend walked away from the argument, and later the three men walked up to the 18-year-old near the parking lot and another argument happened, deputies say.
During the altercation, one of the three men reportedly pulled out a gun and shot the 18-year-old.
The man was struck in the leg and groin area of his body and left the shooting on foot, the news release said.
Law enforcement says the three men were seen driving away from the parking lot in a small black car.
The man shot was taken to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition, deputies say.
The sheriff's office said they told mall security there was no threat to the mall and all stores could remain open.
The shooting is still under investigation by detectives and no arrests have been made.