Miami

Suspect Arrested in 2015 Killing of Miami Gardens Man Who Was Shot While Mowing His Lawn: Police

Nearly two years after a man was shot and killed while mowing his lawn in Miami Gardens, police say they have a suspect in custody.

Dequentin Thomas, 22, is facing first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in the June 2015 killing of 61-year-old Curtis Smith.

Thomas was being held without bond Friday, Miami-Dade jail records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.

Police said Smith, a respiratory therapist at Jackson Memorial Hospital, was mowing his lawn in the 17600 block of Northwest 14th Avenue when he was shot. Surveillance video showed two men approach Smith before a struggle ensued and Smith fell to the ground.

When officers arrived Smith was found with a gunshot wound to his chest, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to an arrest report, Thomas was already in federal custody in an unrelated case when he was identified as a possible suspect in the killing of Smith.

When he was arrested, a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol was seized. Police said a shell casing at the scene of Smith's murder matched the pistol.

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