Ocala police are looking for a bystander who took evidence from the crime scene at Paddock Mall following a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 40-year-old man on Saturday afternoon.
Shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, a male suspect – later identified by police as 39-year-old Albert J. Shell, Jr. – allegedly targeted a male victim at the mall. OPD says that officers received the first call about an active shooter at around 3:40 p.m.
Multiple law enforcement units were dispatched to the mall and found that the shooting had already taken place. The victim, identified as 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was found in a common area, deceased from gunshot wounds.
An unidentified woman at the mall also sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening by police.
Within 24 hours of the shooting, OPD provided surveillance photos that showed a suspect that fled the scene immediately after the shooting. He has since been identified as Shell.
Shortly after the shooting, a male bystander (pictured below) allegedly tampered with crucial evidence by taking the suspected shooter’s red hat from the crime scene at the mall, according to Ocala police.
OPD states that the hat “may contain valuable DNA evidence.”
If you recognize the male bystander, OPD asks that you call 352-656-6137, or submit an anonymous tip to the Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-STOP(7867) or clicking here to submit an online tip.
Police are also still looking for the suspected shooter, Shell, and a cash reward is being offered for tips that lead to his arrest.
“If you call OPD and tell us where he is and it leads to his arrest, we will pay you $5,000! Call 352-656-6137. Please, do not call that number for any other matter,” reads a statement issued through social media by OPD.
Anyone with information who seeks to remain anonymous may contact the Crime Stoppers of Marion County by phone (352-368-7867) or by submitting an online tip.
If anyone has a video of the shooting that was captured on their phone, OPD asks that you share the footage with detectives. You can send videos via email to mediarelations@ocalapd.org or by phone to 352-656-6137.
Check back on Ocala-News.com for updates on this developing story.