Man Arrested in Orange County for Fatal Shooting in Hollywood

A man has been apprehended and is now behind bars following his arrest in Orange County for a fatal shooting that occurred in Hollywood on November 21st.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The shooting incident took place at approximately 9:30 PM on November 21st in the vicinity of South 56th Avenue and Rodman Street, according to the Hollywood Police.

Tragically, the victim succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Hollywood Fire Rescue.

After conducting a thorough investigation, detectives swiftly identified the alleged perpetrator as 23-year-old Kendric Elyjah Smith, leading to the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on charges of First Degree Murder.

Arrest and Custody

On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, authorities from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals apprehended Smith, as confirmed in a press release by the Hollywood Police.

The Sequence of Events Leading to the Shooting

Based on the Probable Cause Document, the confrontation that led to the fatal shooting unfolded within the premises of the A1 Food Store.

As per the document, the victim and the suspect engaged in a verbal exchange while inside the store. Subsequently, the victim proceeded towards the front of the store, with the suspect following closely behind.

Once outside the store, both individuals continued their conversation. The document states that the suspect started walking northbound on South 56th Avenue, with the victim trailing behind.

At some point during their interaction, security camera footage from a nearby Complete Auto Body and Repair shop captured the suspect and the victim still conversing. In a sudden turn of events, the victim walked slightly ahead of the suspect, prompting the suspect to draw a firearm, according to the probable cause document.

The surveillance video revealed approximately seven muzzle flashes, allowing the police to identify Kendric Smith as he passed by an illuminated light post.