Detectives Arrest Two Armed And Dangerous Fugitives From North Carolina Found Hiding Out In Treasure Island
Detectives have arrested two armed and dangerous fugitives wanted out of Alleghany County, North Carolina, for shooting at law enforcement officers during a vehicle pursuit. The shooting occurred at about 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
26-year-old Alton Smoot was arrested at about 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018. 50-year-old Donald Billings was arrested at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2018.
According to detectives, at about 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2018, Alleghany County Sheriff’s deputies in North Carolina, tried initiating a traffic stop on a 2001 Toyota Tundra truck registered to Billings.
The truck fled and deputies pursued the vehicle. Alleghany County deputies said that Billings and Smoot shot at deputies.from the truck using a handgun and an AR-15 rifle.
Deputies stopped pursing the vehicle and luckily no deputies were injured.
Alleghany deputies say Billings later abandoned the truck and stole a Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for Billings and Smoot.
On August 17, 2018, members of the United States Marshals Service notified detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Warrant Unit that Billings and Smoot were likely in Pinellas County.
Detectives learned that Billings had an ex girlfriend, 34-year-old Tiffany McCord, who lived at 9921 Gulf Boulevard, Apartment #2, in Treasure Island.
On August 18, 2018, detectives conducted surveillance in the area of McCord’s apartment when they located and arrested Smoot.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Billings was inside the apartment armed with a machete, a handgun, a .223 caliber AR-15 rifle and a pipe bomb.
Witnesses informed detectives that Billings specifically stated he was not going back to prison and would shoot it out with police before shooting himself.
Detectives also learned that Billings had made a pipe bomb using black power, metal and a detonator cord.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was activated and they tried to establish communication with Billings at the apartment but were unsuccessful.
SWAT Team members utilized tear gas in an attempt to get Billings to come out of the apartment but he refused. Deputies then breached the doors of the apartment and used flash bangs.
Before SWAT Team members could enter the residence, a fire broke out in the apartment and the fire department was able to extinguish the flames.
Deputies entered the home and found Billings lying on the floor with two AR-15 magazines in his pocket.
Deputies say Billings was alive but severely burned. He was transported by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital.
Billings was charged with warrants out of Alleghany County, North Carolina, for one count of Attempted 1stDegree Murder on Law Enforcement, one count of Felony Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder on Law Enforcement, and Possession of Firearm by Felon.
Smoot was charged with warrants out of Alleghany County, North Carolina, for one count of Attempted 1stDegree Murder on Law Enforcement, one count of Felony Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder on Law Enforcement, one count of Aggravated Assault with Gun, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon and one count of Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement.
“These guys are bad people and they were engaged in activity where they were willing to shoot it out with a cop.” “We are very fortunate that no one was hurt and no law enforcement were hurt,” said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
The investigation continues.