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Sunday night, a man was found shot to death in the Mugs Pub parking lot. Here’s an update on the case.
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Melbourne murder suspect shoots himself after police chase
Published on
From Melbourne Police:
Within an hour after the officers arrived at the scene a person called the Palm Bay Police Department stating they had information regarding the shooting. We learned the caller was the driver of the car and Lopes was the back seat passenger.
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The front seat passenger was Michael Alan Smith b/m 42yo. Smith asked the driver to stop at the parking lot to meet with another unknown person for an unknown reason.
After Smith met with the person, he got back in the front passenger seat with the driver and Lopes. Smith and Lopes began arguing, at which time Smith got out of the car and shot Lopes several times. Smith then pulled Lopes out of the car leaving him in the parking lot. Smith got back into the front passenger seat and told the driver to drive. In fear for their safety, the driver drove Smith to Malabar Rd and 195 where Smith got out.
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The driver then notified the police. The Palm Bay Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit (STAR) conducted a thorough search of the area however they were unable to locate Smith.
Melbourne Police detectives worked throughout the night and day on Monday attempting to locate Smith as a warrant was being issued for his arrest.
Today, July 16th, detectives were notified that a Florida Department of Agriculture officer had followed a stolen car on Interstate 95 north of Jacksonville into Georgia at approximately 2:46 am this morning.
The officer notified the Camden County Sheriff’s Office who intercepted the stolen car near mile marker 7 and attempted a traffic stop. The car fled and a pursuit ensued.
A deputy performed a pursuit intervention technique near mile marker 10 and the stolen car went off the road and crashed into a wooded area. As officers approached the car, the driver was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The driver was identified as Michael Alan Smith. Smith was the only person in the car and the car was reported stolen through the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
The Georgia State Police is investigating the crash and Melbourne Police detectives are working closely with all agencies involved as this is still an ongoing investigation.
Suspect/Deceased:
Michael Alan Smith
B/M 42 yoa
LKA Melbourne, FL.
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