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 asking for the public’s help to identify 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 over the weekend.
On Saturday, December 23, Albert J. Shell, Jr., 39, allegedly targeted a male victim at the mall. According to OPD, 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 male 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. The suspect has since been identified as Shell.
Shortly after the shooting, a male bystander 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.”
In several social media posts, the police department shared photos of the bystander (see below) in the hopes that someone in the community recognizes him.
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 an increased cash reward is being offered for tips that lead to his arrest.
“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.
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.