HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Police arrested a suspect in a shooting that left two people dead Saturday morning at the Santa Fe Bar.
Willie J. Wingfield, 21, from the Fort White area, was located in Daytona and taken into custody at approximately 4 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Task Force with the assistance from Gainesville, Orlando and Jacksonville.
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On Saturday morning, around 1:15, Columbia County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to the bar at 23731 US Highway 441 in High Springs, FL, in reference to a disturbance that resulted in two people being shot.
Columbia County Deputies, along with High Springs Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed that two people had been shot and were deceased.
The victims have been identified as Dennis Lamont Smith, 38, of Fort White, Florida and Erik Antonio Akins, 24, of Fort White, Florida.
Witnesses say that soon after 1:00am on Saturday morning an altercation occurred in the parking lot of the bar. At this time it is unknown what the altercation was in reference to or who started the altercation. The two victims were shot and pronounced as deceased on scene. The shooter left the scene prior to law enforcement's arrival.
Sheriff Mark Hunter stated, "I am extremely proud of the efforts that went into this investigation, from all of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office employees, citizens of Columbia County, and the multiple agencies that were able to assist in bringing this investigation to a close so quickly."
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is asking that anyone who believes they may have information in reference to this investigation to contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Detective Division by calling the Columbia County Combined Communications at (386) 719-2005. Anonymous tips may also be made through Crime Stoppers of Columbia County by calling (386) 754-7099 or by submitting a web tip at http://www.columbiacrimestoppers.net/.