During the course of the investigation, Florence Police officers obtained video footage of the incident. The footage and investigation was handed over to a Florence Police detective, who was able to secure a no bond arrest warrant that was issued on April 25 for Justin Michael Smith (32), (a resident out of Englewood) for the following charges: first degree assault, two counts of menacing, reckless endangerment and unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon.
Justin was attending a local wedding reception here in Florence on the night of April 19. The suspect shot the victim, (who is a Florence resident), in the leg after the victim was rummaging through a nearby dumpster. The victim was not breaking into cars as the suspect originally told Florence Police officers on scene.
The Englewood Police Department was contacted and made aware of the arrest warrant. At no point, was this incident ever an “officer involved shooting.” (OIS).