GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alachua County sheriff's deputies said they shot the man they believe is responsible for shooting and killing two people Thursday evening.
Mitch C. Smith, 32, was taken to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in critical condition.
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On Saturday, members of the Sheriff's Office SWAT team were called in to help with an arrest warrant for the Smith after a surveillance operation. As a deputy drove by the Gainesville home in the 7000 block of Southwest Archer Road, he saw Smith attempting to leave.
Detectives said the officer was asking Smith to stop when the suspect pulled a firearm out of his waistband. That's when the deputy shot the man, authorities said.
Smith was wanted in the killings of 38-year-old Sharon Norman and 38-year-old Anthony Hall, both of Gainesville. Investigators said Norman was found dead in the driver's seat of her car and Hall's body was located in a ditch near the vehicle the 6500 block of Southwest 85th Avenue just before 9 p.m Thursday.
Investigators said a passing motorist saw a vehicle parked on the side of the road with its emergency flashers on and found the victims. Police said both were killed with a firearm.
The deputy involved in the Saturday shooting was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure, as detectives investigate.