BRANDON, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect after gunshots were fired Monday afternoon outside the Westfield Brandon Mall.

There were no injuries.

The incident started as an undercover operation to get illegal guns off the streets.

Detectives said they'd been working on this sting operation for over a year, and once it was finally underway, the suspects pulled a gun on the undercover detective and tried to rob him.

Deputies say when that happened, all the other deputies listening, moved in. 

As the suspects tried to get away, they fired shots. 

One of the suspects, 19-year-old Jordan Garcia was arrested. He is facing four counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and one charge of armed burglary.

"And more importantly, we need to wonder why are these individuals with 26 felony convictions out here selling guns in a parking lot in broad daylight,” said Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski. “That's the issue we need to address. Why isn’t this suspect in jail and why are they having access to these guns."

Investigators say they're very fortunate no deputies or civilians were injured in this operation.

The mall remained closed until the scene was cleared.