MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE 1/13/2024: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) says they are looking for 33-year-old Melvin Arias in connection to Friday’s deadly shooting at the Marion Oaks shopping plaza.

The shooting left 47-year-old Milagros Guzman Lopez dead.

They say Arias arrived at the strip mall located at 168 Marion Oaks Blvd. and began to argue with Lopez in front of a barber shop.  They say Arias then retrieved a gun from his vehicle and shot Lopez.

MCSO says deputies and detectives are currently searching for Arias, who has a warrant for Lopez’s murder.  They ask that anyone with information on where he is call 911 as they consider Arias “armed and dangerous.”

Deputies say Milagros Lopez was shot and killed after an argument in front of a barber shop in the Marion Oaks strip mall. Courtesy: MCSO
Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are still searching for alleged gunman Melvin Arias in connection with the shooting death of Milagros Lopez. Courtesy: MCSO

ORIGINAL, 1/12/2024: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) say they responded to a shooting at a shopping plaza at the corner of Marion Oaks Boulevard and Marion Oaks Drive Friday around 2 p.m.

They confirm when they got on scene, they found a woman dead.

Deputies say the shooting happened around 2 p.m. Friday near the barber shop in the Marion Oaks shopping plaza. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Deputies say witnesses told them the shooter was a man. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Marion County deputies say they believe the shooting is an isolated incident. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today

MCSO has confirmed the victim is 47-year-old Milagros Guzman Lopez.

Deputies say witnesses told them a shooter was a man and he is currently on the loose.

Investigators believe the incident is isolated.

This is a developing story. Check back frequently for updates.