Paddock Mall shooting suspect had outstanding warrant for arrest at the time of shooting, records show

Albert Shell Jr. has been identified as a suspect in Saturday’s fatal shooting at the Paddock Mall, according to the Ocala Police Department. [Photo Courtesy of Marion County Jail Inmate Database]

The suspect in the Paddock Mall fatal shooting has been wanted by law enforcement on unrelated charges since October, nearly two months before the shooting that took the life of one person and wounded another just before Christmas.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant on Oct. 27 for the arrest of Albert J. Shell Jr. after he failed to appear in court for previous misdemeanor charges that were unrelated to the shooting, according to MCSO spokesperson Paul Bloom.
Ocala Police Department officials say Shell, 39, shot two people in the mall on Dec. 23. One of the victims, David Nathaniel Barron, 40, was killed; a woman was wounded in the leg and is expected to recover. Authorities have not released the name of the woman or responded to questions about her possible connection to the shooter or the victim.
Officials say Shell ran from the mall and has yet to be apprehended as of Dec. 27 at 4:45 p.m.
Another warrant was issued for his arrest after the mall shooting, and he is wanted on charges of premeditated first-degree murder and attempted premeditated first-degree murder. OPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Before the events of the mall shooting unfolded, Shell had been arrested on Sept. 27 for two misdemeanors—possession of marijuana and resisting an officer—but failed to appear in court as ordered on Oct. 27.
When Shell didn’t show, Marion County Judge Tommy Thompson issued a warrant for his arrest and his $1,000 bond was forfeited. The judge’s warrant commands any sheriff’s office in the state of Florida to take Shell into custody if he is found in their county.
MCSO confirmed the agency had issued a warrant on Oct. 27 and were seeking to take Shell into custody.
Along with his misdemeanor charges, Shell has outstanding felony charges this year for battery and for tampering with a witness, victim or informant, according to the Marion County Clerk of Court.
Shell, whose criminal history in Marion County dates to 2002, was charged with both felonies after his arrest on Sept. 27. He was not required to appear in court for his arraignment, so there was no warrant issued when he didn’t appear in court on Nov. 28 for his felony charges.