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

Ocala police release new images of man who took evidence from the scene of a deadly shooting. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

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

Investigators released the new images in a news release Wednesday.

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.

[TRENDING: Become a News 6 Insider]

Officers said the hat may contain valuable DNA evidence. Police previously released surveillance video of the man who took the hat, but the images were blurry and it was difficult to discern the man’s features.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY? This person tampered with crucial evidence by taking the shooter's red hat from the crime scene at the Paddock Mall. That hat may contain valuable DNA evidence. pic.twitter.com/v0QlRuVGLH

— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) December 25, 2023

“This person tampered with crucial evidence by taking the shooter’s red hat from the crime scene at the Paddock Mall. That hat may contain valuable DNA evidence,” the post read.

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.

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

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

Tips leading to the man who took the hat may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

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.