OCALA, FL – A fatal shooting incident occurred at the Paddock Mall in Ocala, Florida, amid a crowd of last-minute Christmas shoppers around 3:40 p.m. on Saturday. The Ocala Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Albert J. Shell Jr., 39, in connection with the shooting.
Upon receiving reports of an active shooter, police rapidly responded to the scene. While they did not find an active shooter, they discovered a man deceased and a woman with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The suspect had fled the scene.
Albert Shell Jr. is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Police believe the deceased victim, 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was specifically targeted, though no motive has been disclosed.
Witness Jennifer McMurtry, volunteering for a domestic violence shelter at the mall, reported hearing gunshots. Blocked by tables, she and other volunteers were unable to escape and took cover on the ground amidst the chaos.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano released a video statement on Facebook, commending law enforcement’s swift action and expressing condolences to the victims and their families. He emphasized the community’s resilience in overcoming this tragedy.