Benjamin Ashford:Police seek suspect in fatal Florida mall shooting

2025-05-05 17:34:44source:Evander Reedcategory:reviews

Police named a suspect Sunday in a shooting that killed one man and Benjamin Ashfordinjured a woman at a central Florida mall that was crowded with holiday shoppers two days before Christmas.

The Ocala Police Department identified the suspect as Albert James Shell Jr., 39. According to law enforcement, he will be charged with premeditated first-degree murder and attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

Law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired inside the Paddock Mall in Ocala, about 80 miles from Orlando, at around 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken told reporters at a briefing.

Officers arrived with a "heavy police presence" at the mall, Balken said, but discovered this was "not what we would consider an active shooter" situation. Police found the suspect in the mall, but he fled from the scene on foot. A firearm was recovered.

Authorities believe the shooting was a "targeted act of violence," Balken said. The victim was later identified as David Nathaniel Barron, 40.

A woman was shot in the leg and is expected to survive her injuries after she was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Balken said. Several other shoppers also suffered injuries, including a broken arm.

"It's the worst thing we can imagine right now at this time of the year," Balken said.

Christmas in Florida:Watch live: Surfing Santas hit the waves for a Christmas tradition in Florida

Police locked down the mall for 12 hours following the shooting and advised shoppers to stay away from the area.

Contributing: Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

More:reviews

Recommend

Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris

What were you doing during the summer when you were 11 years old?Chances are you were not competing

Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Smithfield Foods, one of the nation’s largest meat processors, has agreed to pay

Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite

Burger King has put customers to the ultimate (taste) test, allowing them to try three reimagined Wh