Ocala Mall Shooting Suspect Arrested, Charged With Murder

OCALA — The man accused of killing another man and injuring a woman in a Paddock Mall targeted shooting two days before Christmas has been arrested, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said Monday at a press conference.

The Dec. 23 shooting at Paddock claimed the life of David Barron, who Balken said had a dispute with the suspected shooter, Albert Shell Jr. The woman who was shot and injured was an innocent bystander, he said.

According to Marion County Jail records, Shell is being charged on suspicion of premeditated first-degree murder, premeditated attempted first-degree murder, resist without violence and possession of cannabis less than 20 grams. He remained incarcerated Tuesday.

WESH 2 reported the shooting happened when Shell was accused of punching Barron after noticing him in the mall, which led to a chase and subsequent fight between the two men. Barron was shot in the head, WESH 2 said, citing a police report.

"Our hearts go out to the victim's family, friends and all of those who were affected by this tragedy," Balken said.

Shell was arrested around 3 a.m. Monday at a house near the Florida Highlands following two hours of negotiations with law enforcement. The house is about 20 minutes southwest of Ocala, Balken said.

Shell's arrest, captured on released body cam footage, came after investigators received more than 100 tips and after a $5,000 reward for information was raised Friday to $20,000.

Balken said the fatal shooting was one of the "more heinous acts seen in Ocala in a long time."

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano said the city remains safe.

"We are a resilient community, but we will not stand for acts of violence like this," he said.