TYLER, Texas — A Tyler man has been arrested by the Smith County Sheriff's Office in connection with a Sunday morning murder.
According to the SCSO, on Sunday around 2:10 a.m., deputies responded to a deadly conduct call at a convenience store located at 11812 Highway 64 West in Tyler.
When officials arrived on scene, they found a man, identified as Donovan Reese, 27, dead inside a vehicle parked in front of the store.
The SCSO says Reese sustained an apparent gunshot wound and the suspected shooter, identified as James Robert Smith III, 27, had left the area prior to authorities arriving at the location.
Around 9 p.m., the SCSO arrested Smith and he was booked into the Smith County Jail on $750,000 bond.
Smith has a long rap sheet in Smith County with many of the charges being drug-related.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Reese and Smith had previous confrontations before Sunday's fatal shooting.
The affidavit states a family member of Reese told investigators Reese robbed Smith of about three pounds of marijuana two years ago. As recently as four months ago, the relative told police Reese had beaten up Smith in a Walmart parking lot.
According to the SCSO, Reese was working to change a flat tire and got back in the driver's seat of the vehicle. Two passengers were also in the car with Reese.
The passengers told investigators Smith, dressed in a gray hoodie, drove up beside the vehicle and pulled a gun, the affidavit states. The witnesses told investigators Smith then said, "Hey bro," before he began shooting. He then left the scene and headed down Highway 64 West.
The affidavit states 17 bullet holes were discovered in Reese's car. A detective also found a Winchester .40 caliber shell casing on the ground at the crime scene.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Smith's residence, located on Farm-to-Market Road 724, just north of Highway 64 West. It was there deputies placed Smith under arrest.
The arrest warrant affidavit says Smith did not question why he was being arrested. However, he refuse to speak with investigators without a lawyer present.
While performing a search of the residence, detectives say they found evidence including clothing that matched the description of the clothes Smith reportedly was wearing during the shooting. Detectives also seized a Springfield pistol and a box of .40 caliber Winchester bullets.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 Jon Johnson ordered Reese's body be taken to Forensic Medical in Tyler for autopsy.
