Florida Mall closed early due to planned protest for man shot and killed by Orange County deputy
ORLANDO, Fla. - On Friday, the Florida Mall closed its doors early ahead of a large protest planned for the afternoon. The protest was in support of 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin who was shot and killed by an Orange County deputy.
An employee inside the mall confirmed to FOX 35 News that the mall closed around 1 p.m. in anticipation of the protest and to keep people safe.
Security was seen barricading off the parking lot to the mall as cars exited.
FOX 35 cameras rolled as protesters were arrested outside of the mall on Friday night.
More than 100 protesters showed up.
The protesters forced deputies to close roads around the mall as they marched along Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road.
On Tuesday evening, the Orange County Sheriff's Office released body camera videos from the fatal shooting outside of the Florida Mall.
The incident happened on August 7.
The sheriff’s office initially said they were looking for a man who was wanted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and who was also a person of interest in a shooting.
Investigators said when they made contact with the wanted man, Melvin, who was with the group, took off.
Melvin was said to have a stolen gun on him, according to the affidavit.
In one of the body camera videos, you can see a deputy driving through the parking lot. Through his windshield, a man is seen sprinting away and then falls to the ground.
That was the moment a deputy shot and killed Melvin.
In the immediate aftermath, other deputies drew their guns and surrounded him.
Once they believed he was secure, they rendered aid and realized that he had been shot in the back.
Melvin's family is suing the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the deputies involved.
Protesters plan to be back out near the mall again on Saturday.