UPDATE: At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, the Ocala Police Department released the following statement: “The man who took the red hat has been identified and is cooperating with us. We now have the hat in our possession. We are continuing our ongoing search for Albert Shell Jr.”
Ocala police are still looking for a 39-year-old man who allegedly killed another man and injured a woman in a shooting at Paddock Mall over the weekend, and a $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
In a press release on Tuesday, December 26, the Ocala Police Department stated that detectives are “still actively searching for the Paddock Mall murder suspect, Albert Shell Jr.” He is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the fatal shooting that claimed the life of David Nathaniel Barron.
Shell allegedly targeted Barron, 40, just before 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 23. OPD states that it 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. 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 shots were fired. He has since been identified as Shell.
“OPD is now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides information of [Shell’s] location that will lead to his arrest,” stated the police department on Tuesday.
If you know Shell’s current whereabouts, OPD asks that you call 352-656-6137.
In addition, Ocala police are looking for a male bystander (pictured below) who allegedly tampered with crucial evidence by taking the suspected shooter’s red hat from the crime scene at the mall.
OPD states that the hat “may contain valuable DNA evidence.” If you recognize the male bystander, the police department asks that you call 352-656-6137.
Anyone with information who seeks to remain anonymous may contact the Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-STOP(7867) or clicking here to submit 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.