**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
A 29 year old male has been taken into custody following the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Dustin Lee Smith. Mr. Smith was found deceased on the shoulder of Ponderosa Drive, Six Mile, early Sunday morning.
A team of detectives have worked around the clock since the deceased was first discovered the morning of Sunday, November 1, 2020.
The suspect was identified during the investigation which led detectives to Johnson County, Tennessee, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
This investigation is still on-going as Sheriff’s detectives are investigating additional leads and information to determine if there are other potential co-defendant(s) that may have played a role before and/or after Mr. Smith’s death.
Sheriff Rick Clark stated…..
“Please join with us as we pray for Mr. Smith’s family and friends as they attempt to understand and cope with this tragic and senseless loss of life. Our hearts go out to each and every one of them as we remain focused on the mission at hand; which is to bring the person or persons responsible for his death to justice. I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the excellent law enforcement officers from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation who assisted us during this investigation. The success of this investigation would not have been possible without them”.
David Michael Watkins (29 YOA) taken into custody today in Johnson County, Tennessee, where he awaits extradition back to South Carolina. He will be booked on the following charge:
- Charge: Murder
- Warrant #: 2020A3910101349
- Bond: TBD
- Date of Arrest: 11/02/2020