OCALA, Fla. – Nearly two years after a deadly shooting at Paddock Mall just days before Christmas, the victim’s family has filed a lawsuit claiming the mall lacked proper security and safety measures at the time of the incident.
On Dec. 23, 2023, 40-year-old David Barron was shot and killed at the mall.
Investigators say the suspect, Albert Shell Jr., targeted Barron. Shell was on the run for weeks before his arrest in Jan. 2024.
[VIDEO: Man accused of fatally shooting 1, injuring another at Paddock Mall in Ocala arrested ]
Now, Barron’s family has filed a lawsuit against Paddock Mall, its former owners Washington Prime Group, and Allied Security. The lawsuit alleges several security shortcomings including the mall did not having enough security guards in visible areas to deter crime and lacked sufficient surveillance cameras throughout the premises.
The family believes the mall was not doing enough to keep people safe.
“The security was entirely inadequate at Paddock,” said, Pedro Echarte the family’s attorney. “Especially for the risks that existed at that mall, coupled with the risks around the holidays, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.”
Since the shooting, Paddock Mall has come under new ownership, CBL Properties.
News 6 asked if CBL has made any security changes since they have taken over the mall, they sent us a statement which said:
“We review our security protocols on an ongoing basis, adjusting, as necessary. While we don’t publicly disclose details, we are committed to maintaining a comfortable and welcoming space for our tenants and our shoppers.”
Echarte said he and his clients want accountability.
“First and foremost, we want justice for what happened here,” Echarte said. ”We want the mall to be held accountable. But ultimately, the only thing my clients want is to get this message out that if you operate a business, whether it’s a mall, a strip mall, a nightclub, an apartment complex, that if you do not take security seriously, you will be held accountable.”
News 6 also reached out to Washington Prime Group, Paddock Mall, and Allied Security. Allied Security declined to comment on pending litigation. Washington Prime Group and Paddock Mall have not yet responded.
[VIDEO: Witness video shows the chaos inside of the Paddock Mall]
Ocala Police said since the 2023 shooting, they have implemented increased security measures at the mall for enhanced safety.
When asked if the mall is safer now, the new owners, CBL, said security remains a top priority but cannot discuss details of their security program publicly.
To read the full lawsuit, see below.