“David Nathaniel Barron: Victim Identified in Ocala Mall Shooting, Police Continue Search for Suspect”

Police Continue Search for Suspect in Fatal Shooting at Ocala Mall

(CNN) — Authorities in Ocala, Florida, are still on the lookout for the individual responsible for a shooting incident that occurred inside a local mall, resulting in the death of one person and injuring another on a busy pre-Christmas shopping day.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken has stated that the shooting appears to be a targeted act of violence. The victim, identified as 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was found dead with gunshot wounds in a common area within the mall. Thankfully, a woman who suffered a leg injury is expected to recover.

According to the police, the suspect fled the mall on foot after the shooting. Balken described the suspect as a Black man wearing black pants, a hoodie, and a black mask.

This tragic incident unfolded at the Paddock Mall, just two days before Christmas, during a time when analysts anticipated high footfall due to last-minute shopping frenzy. Unfortunately, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the increasing prevalence of gun violence in America, which is encroaching upon various aspects of everyday life.

As of Sunday morning, the Gun Violence Archive reports that over 42,000 individuals have lost their lives to gun-related incidents in 2023, with more than 18,400 of those cases being homicides.

Early Sunday, the police released several images of a “person of interest” in the case. They are appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the individual, who was captured wearing dark clothes, white sneakers, and a red hat.

A Plethora of Potential Witnesses

Given the crowded mall during the time of the shooting, Ocala Police Chief Balken acknowledged the presence of numerous potential witnesses who could aid in resolving the case successfully.

The Ocala Police Department has urged anyone with video footage of the shooting to come forward and share it with the investigating detectives.

Authorities received the initial call reporting multiple gunshots at around 3:40 p.m., prompting them to respond with a significant police presence under the assumption of an “active shooter” scenario, as relayed by Balken during a news conference.

However, upon entering the mall, officers discovered that the situation did not involve an active shooter. They instead came across the victims and managed to recover the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.

Eighteen-year-old Syriah Williams, who was present at the mall during the incident, recounted the chaos that ensued after multiple shots were fired. Williams stated that following the gunshots, mall employees directed everyone to evacuate through the back storage area.

Washington Prime Group, the corporate owner of Paddock Mall, has announced that the mall will be closed on Sunday and Monday. The Ocala Police Department had previously reopened the parking lot for individuals to retrieve their vehicles.

CNN’s Dakin Andone contributed to this report.