OCALA, Fla. – The Ocala Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service, has successfully apprehended Albert J. Shell Jr., the 39-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting at Paddock Mall. The incident, which occurred in December, tragically resulted in the death of one man and left a woman injured.
Shell, identified as the suspect by police on December 24, was captured early Monday morning without any complications. His arrest followed a warrant issued for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
The Ocala Police Department, in collaboration with the United States Marshals Service (Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force), has apprehended Albert Shell Jr., the murder suspect involved in the deadly shooting at the Paddock Mall that occurred on Dec. 23, 2023. pic.twitter.com/c15dzemijI
— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) January 8, 2024
The police response to the shooting at Paddock Mall began at approximately 3:40 p.m. on December 23. Initially feared as an active shooter situation, it later emerged that the assailant had fled the scene. Investigators believe this attack may have been a targeted incident.
40-year-old David Barron, the deceased victim, was found in a common area of the mall. A female victim, suffering non-life-threatening injuries, received prompt medical attention at a local hospital.
UPDATE: There is no longer an active shooting situation. There are multiple people injured. The suspect is believed to have fled. The mall is being evacuated at this time. Please avoid the area as police investigate. https://t.co/j8Uk5iYjob
— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) December 23, 2023
This shooting at Paddock Mall was preceded by two separate incidents in Ocala the previous night, intensifying concerns about community safety and the urgency of apprehending Shell.
A $20,000 reward was offered for information leading to Shell’s arrest. It is currently unclear if this incentive played a role in his eventual capture.
Copyright 2023 by Jax Daily News – All rights reserved.