The suspect in the recent double-homicide of two local residents was shot and arrested by police Saturday.
Sharon Norman and Anthony Hall, both 38, were shot and killed in their car Thursday during what police believe was a drug transaction, according to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Art Forgey.
Police received a call from a passing motorist at about 9:50 Thursday night and found the car at 6500 SW 85th Ave. with its hazard lights on and the victims inside, Forgey said.
Sheriff deputies and EMS arrived and declared the victims dead on the scene. Norman was found slumped over the driving wheel, while Hall was found on the other side of the road in a ditch, he said.
Detectives worked over the weekend to find a suspect, interviewing family, friends and neighbors, as well as compiling witness statements and phone records, Forgey said.
Detectives identified Mitch Smith, 32, as the suspect and were granted a warrant for his arrest. A member of the ASO SWAT team was driving by Smith’s trailer Saturday, scoping out the area, when Smith walked out the door to leave, Forgey said.
The deputy parked his police car and walked out to meet him, ordering him to stop, and then Smith pulled a pistol out of his waistband.
The deputy fired first, shooting Smith in his upper torso. He was taken to Shands at UF and was originally in critical condition but has since recovered into stable condition, Forgey said.
Smith is in ASO’s custody and will be taken to Alachua County Jail upon his release from Shands. He is charged with two counts of homicide and may be charged for his confrontation with the deputy, Forgey said.
