Albert Shell Jr. is accused of opening fire at a busy Ocala, Florida, mall, killing a man and injuring a woman. (Ocala Police Department)
Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man who allegedly started shooting at a busy mall in Ocala, Florida, full of last-minute Christmas shoppers.
It happened around 3:40 p.m. Saturday at the Paddock Mall.
Ocala police said 911 callers reported an active shooter inside the mall. Cops rushed to the mall and discovered that while there was no active shooter, a shooting did occur. They found one man dead and a woman suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The shooter got away.
On Sunday, police obtained an arrest warrant for Albert J. Shell Jr., 39, on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Detectives believe Shell targeted the victim, 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, though they did not give a motive.
The shooting sent shoppers scrambling. Jennifer McMurtry told local ABC affiliate WFTV she was volunteering for a domestic-violence shelter and wrapping presents when she heard shots.
“I heard what sounded like gunshots,” Murty said. “I turned, and I saw the shooter with the gun in his hand.”
Blocked in by tables, she and other volunteers were unable to run away.
“We just fell to the ground,” Murty said. “We weren’t sure if they were randomly shooting people. We kept hearing the pops.”
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano said in a video statement posted to Facebook commending the efforts of law enforcement.
“As we grapple with the aftermath our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” he said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to those who were affected by this terrible act of violence. … Together we will overcome this and emerge stronger as a community.”
Cops also are searching for the man who walked away with the shooter’s hat which could contain “valuable DNA evidence.”
From Ocala police:
Anyone with information can call 352-656-6137 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-STOP (7867) or **TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at OcalaCrimeStoppers.com.
Officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Shell’s arrest and a $3,000 reward for identifying the man who picked up Shell’s hat.
Records show Shell has an extensive arrest history, the latest coming in July when he is accused of beating up his girlfriend in front of her 6-year-old son because he thought she was cheating on him. A probable cause arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime says Shell grabbed her hair and dragged her to the bathroom where he slammed her head on the tile. He also allegedly choked her.
The woman’s son told cops Shell “punched and kicked and punched mommy” and “mommy needed to say sorry to make it better.” Shell also is charged with witness intimidation because he called the victim a “snake” for cooperating with police, records show. The case is ongoing.
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