Ocala police are still searching for a 39-year-old man who allegedly killed another man and injured a woman in a shooting at Paddock Mall on December 23, and the reward for information leading to his arrest has been increased to $20,000.
“We are still actively searching for the Paddock Mall murder suspect, Albert Shell Jr., and we need information on his location,” stated the Ocala Police Department in a social media post on Friday evening.
In addition to the $15,000 reward being offered by OPD, the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA), at the request of Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, has offered an additional $5,000 reward through their Criminal Apprehension Program.
This brings the total reward up to $20,000.
The suspect, Shell, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the fatal shooting that claimed the life of 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron.
Shell allegedly targeted Barron 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.
If you have any information that could help officers locate and apprehend Shell, the Ocala Police Department urges you to call 352-369-7000.
“This criminal act committed in a crowded mall with no regard for the safety of our citizens, has affected all of us,” stated Sheriff Woods. “I appreciate the FSA standing with us and offering an increased reward as we work to bring this criminal to justice.”