Suspect in Ocala Paddock Mall shooting arrested; police believe reward money helped

The search for the man accused of fatally shooting another man at the Paddock Mall a few days before Christmas is over.

Albert James Shell Jr. was arrested early Monday in southwest Marion County after a standoff with law enforcement, according to Ocala police.

Police officials said Shell refused to leave a residence for a while before finally coming outside, where he was arrested without incident. He was booked into the Marion County Jail.

There was a $20,000 reward offered for any information leading to the arrest of Shell, 39, of Ocala. During a Monday morning news conference, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said he expects the reward will be paid out, though he did not have details. He said police received more than 100 tips in the case.

Shooting at the Paddock Mall in Ocala on Dec. 23

Shell is accused of gunning down David Nathaniel Barron, 40, on Dec. 23 in a common area of the mall between Macy's and the food court. A woman also was shot in the leg during the episode.

Police said the fatal shooting was intentional and Barron was the target. Shell, who's a convicted felon, is expected to be charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. As for a motive for the mall shooting: The chief said only that the victim and Shell had a prior relationship and there was a disagreement between the men.

Detective Zach Boyer's report states surveillance video from the mall showed a man, believed to be Shell, wearing some type of face mask, dark clothes, a red baseball hat and tennis shoes, walking in front of a jewelry store with the victim. Barron was seen walking toward a kiosk in front of a fast food store.

Barron was seen punching the man, who entered a store. Barron then ran toward a store and the man, whom authorities late identified as Shell, chased Barron. During the foot chase, the man, now armed, pointed a handgun at Barron and Barron fell.

The gunman shot Barron. The gun malfunctioned and Barron continued running, with the gunman following behind.

As Barron continued to run, he was again shot, the report said. Barron fell, but got up and ran. The shooter shot Barron again. By then, the men were close to each other and engaged in a physical altercation, according to the report. Then the gunman shot Barron, who was on the ground, in the head.

The shooter ran. A retired law enforcement officer and an officer believed to be from Hawaii approached the shooter, who still managed to flee, according to the summary of the surveillance video.

The gunman dropped the gun, which was picked up by the retired officer, officials said. Detectives said they heard seven gunshots on the video, and the chase between the gunman and Barron covered approximately 149 feet.

Witnesses to the shooting

Aside from the firearm, police officials found shell casings. The shooter's picture was posted on the Ocala Police Department's social media pages and authorities said they received many tips that identified the armed man as Shell.

Shell also was identified by a witness. According to the report, the witness said Barron pleaded for his life, but the gunman shot him.

Another witness picked Shell from a photo lineup. Detectives said they were able to find the store where Shell purchased the mask.

The trauma continues

Appearing at the press conference were Balken; Maj. Steve Cuppy, who oversees investigations; and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano. The conference was held inside the police department's community room.

The chief called the shooting a targeted attack on the victim and said his prayers goes out to the victim's family and friends. Balken said the shooting took place in a public setting, causing trauma that continues to affect the community.

On Jan. 4, the police department, together with the Florida Crisis Response Team, held an event in that same community room. People comforted victims who were at the mall at the time of the shooting.

More details about Shell's arrest

Shell had been on the run since the Dec. 23 shooting. Balken said his agency's officers and the U.S. Caribbean Regional Task Force have been zeroing in on Shell and were able to pinpoint his location early Monday.

He thanked the Marion County Sheriff's Office for its assistance. He also thanked those who submitted numerous tips about Shell and his whereabouts; he said the cooperation definitely played a role in the arrest.

Balken said Shell was found in a house in the Florida Highlands, approximately 20 miles southwest of Ocala. He said Shell was in the residence, with police outside, for roughly two hours before he finally surrendered. Law enforcement officials got word about his hiding spot about 1 a.m. Monday, the chief said.

The chief said he's confident the reward money will be paid out, and he believes the large sum played a part in Shell's eventual arrest. As for people who may have helped Shell elude arrest since Dec. 23: Balken said his agency will investigate and bring to justice anyone who aided the suspect.

Earlier coverage: Photos and video from the Paddock Mall shooting scene

A question was asked about the crime rate in the city of Ocala. The chief said numbers he has seen suggest that crime is down compared to other years, especially when population growth is factored in. He said residents hear about crime because his agency's philosophy is to release information and keep the public informed.

Marciano expressed his condolences to the victim's family and friends. He said he has been in daily contact with the chief about the investigation and emphasized that Ocala won't stand for "acts of violence like this."

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Paddock Mall shooting in Ocala, Florida: Suspect is under arrest