Police named a suspect Sunday in a shooting that killed one man and injured 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.
2024-12-24 19:532928 view
2024-12-24 18:592744 view
2024-12-24 18:542388 view
2024-12-24 18:212426 view
2024-12-24 17:59955 view
2024-12-24 17:52242 view
BEIJING — China's ruling Communist Party has expelled Gou Zhongwen, the former director of the State
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers approved a host of proposals this week aiming to regu
Every week, this pup heads to the cemetery with her owner, and without fail, she finds a grave - one