Paddock Mall is closed Dec. 24. Police seek person of interest. Who took red hat from scene?
Here is the latest information concerning Saturday's fatal shooting at the Paddock Mall in Ocala:
Person of interest sought in Paddock Mall shooting
In a Facebook post, the Ocala Police Department released photos of a man detectives have classified as a "person of interest."
Anyone who can help is asked to call police at 369-7000 or contact Ocala CrimeStoppers at 352-368-STOP. Online tips can be made at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com
Anyone who was at the mall at the time of the shooting and has video is asked to share that video with investigators. Video can be sent to MediaRelations@ocalapd.org or 352-656-6137.
There is a $3,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest.
Sunday afternoon, OPD posted another Facebook message aimed at the public:
"This is a message to the person who took the shooter's red hat from the crime scene," the message says. "That hat may contain valuable DNA evidence, and we need it back. We urge you to do the right thing and come forward immediately. Time is of the essence.
"If you do not return the hat within the next few hours, we will release your picture on our social media and to the news media outlets, and you will be arrested with a felony charge of tampering with evidence," the message goes on to say. "If you want to avoid the arrest, you need to call us at 352-656-6137 and bring the hat to the police department right away. This is your opportunity to avoid the charge. Do not hesitate."
Will the Paddock Mall be open today, Christmas Eve?
Mall officials posted a sign saying the mall will be closed today (Dec. 24) and will reopen Dec. 26.
The mall previously had been scheduled to be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (Christmas Eve.)
A terrifying day: Photos and video from the Paddock Mall shooting scene
People showing up at the mall
More than four dozen vehicles were in the mall parking lot early Sunday morning. Some of the people came to the mall to shop. That included a couple from Bradenton who are in town visiting family and were unaware of Saturday's shooting.
They said they were sorry to hear about the incident and, after several minutes, left the mall parking lot.
Others arriving at the mall were store employees who were there to pick up personal items left behind when they evacuated on Saturday.
One worker, Quinn McCall, told a Star-Banner reporter she came to the mall to pick up her phone and wallet.
The woman, who works as a cashier, said she heard "popping sounds" on Saturday. Almost immediately, McCall said, customers ran in every direction.
McCall said her concern was to protect an employee who was with her. She said she bent down behind the counter. Customers, she said, were allowed to come to their store and they all exited through a back door.
From there, she said, she walked to Walmart, where her fellow employees met, talked and later went home.
About the Paddock Mall shooting
About 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Ocala Police and other agencies rushed to the mall, 3100 SW College Road, in response to a call about a shooting. One man, David Nathaniel Barron, 40, was found deceased in a mall common area. Police believe this was a targeted shooting and that the shooter ran away from the mall.
A woman also was shot in the leg, police said.
Police said they recovered the firearm used in the shootings. As of noon Sunday they had not made any arrests in the case.
Cleaning crew
Crews from Belfor Property Restoration in Ocala were at the Paddock Mall on Sunday. One manager said they arrived on site at 5 a.m. Sunday to clean the area where the shooting happened. They had to wait for a time because Ocala Police officials still were there investigating and collecting evidence.
When officers were finished with their work, the manager said they began their cleaning, which he said "lasted a couple of hours."
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Paddock Mall shooting in Ocala, Florida: Person of interest sought
