Ocala police make contact with man accused of taking evidence from deadly mall shooting

Accused gunman, Albert Shell Jr., remains on the run

OCALA, Fla. – Ocala police released more photos Wednesday of the man they say took a potentially valuable piece of evidence from the scene of a deadly shooting at Paddock Mall on Saturday.

Officers announced they were able to make contact with the man just hours after releasing those photos and he is now cooperating with law enforcement. Police have also received the hat.

Police said the man pictured took the gunman’s hat after the shooting inside Paddock Mall, which killed David Nathaniel Barron, 40, and injured a woman.

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The new images come a day after police offered a $10,000 reward to help find the suspected shooter, 39-year-old Albert Shell Jr.

Hear 911 calls from inside the mall following the shooting in the media player below:

Shell is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

Anyone with information on Shell is asked to call Ocala police at 352-656-6137 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 352-368-7867.


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About the Author

Thomas Mates is a digital storyteller for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. Thomas is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and worked in Portland, Oregon before moving to Central Florida in August 2018. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

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