Florida Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Mall Shooting Suspect
Florida police on Sunday issued an arrest warrant for a suspect involved in a fatal shooting at a mall in Ocala, Central Florida. The suspect, identified as Albert J. Shell Jr., allegedly shot and killed a man at the Paddock Mall.
According to Ocala police, Shell is wanted on charges of premeditated first-degree murder and attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The department is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest.
The incident occurred on Saturday at around 3:40 p.m. local time in a common area of the mall. The victim, identified as 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was killed, and a woman sustained a gunshot injury to her leg. Investigators believe that Barron was specifically targeted.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken stated during a news briefing that the suspect fled the scene on foot and left behind the firearm. Authorities have described the shooter as wearing a red hat, which was later reported to have been taken from the scene by an unknown individual.
Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of Albert J. Shell Jr. is urged to contact the Ocala Police Department.
The Ocala police are seeking the return of a hat that may contain valuable DNA evidence. They are urging the individual who took the hat to come forward immediately, as time is of the essence.
If the hat is not returned promptly, the Ocala Police Department plans to release a picture of the person who took it. The individual will be arrested on a felony charge of tampering with evidence.
Ocala is located approximately 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
