Albert Shell Jr: Man accused of fatally shooting man and injuring another at Florida mall arrested
OCALA, FLORIDA: Police in Ocala, Florida, announced on Monday, January 8 that they have arrested the suspect who allegedly killed a man and injured a woman during a Christmas-season mall shooting in Paddock Mall, Ocala.
The recent footage released shows officers handcuffing 39-year-old Albert Shell Jr and placing him in a patrol car. Officers did not release the location of the arrest.
Why was Albert Shell Jr arrested?
In an X (previously known as Twitter) post, Ocala Police released the video of arresting Shell.
The Ocala Police Department, in collaboration with the United States Marshals Service (Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force), has apprehended Albert Shell Jr., the murder suspect involved in the deadly shooting at the Paddock Mall that occurred on Dec. 23, 2023. pic.twitter.com/c15dzemijI
— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) January 8, 2024
Police claim it was Shell who opened fire at the Paddock Mall on December 23 at around 3.40 pm.
Cops described getting 911 calls from an active shooter that day. They arrived to find 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, who was unfortunately found dead.
Investigators claim that Shell targeted him, though they did not elaborate on the motive or the events leading up to the killing.
Additionally, a woman with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound was discovered by first responders.
According to the authorities, the suspect fled. Police added that the following day, they were able to get an arrest warrant for Shell.
The shooting caused chaos among the shoppers.
Albert Shell Jr had a lengthy rap sheet
Jennifer Murty, who was there in the mall 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,” she added.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano commended the efforts of law enforcement in a video statement posted to Facebook.
"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.”
Records show Shell has an extensive arrest history, the latest coming in July 2023 when he was accused of beating up his girlfriend in front of her 6-year-old son; on which Shell claimed 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 remains at the Marion County Jail without bond for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, resisting without violence, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, and a civil child support matter.
