Update: Suspect in Triple Homicide Dies
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
By: Matthew Peddie

May 27, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - A 27-year-old suspect in a triple homicide over the weekend in Lakeland has died in a Tennessee Hospital. 27 year old David Eugene Smith was hospitalized after a standoff with Knoxville law enforcement at a hotel Tuesday.

[Police parked outside of the Days Inn in Knoxville after gassing his room and taking him into custody. Photo: Knox County Sheriff's Department]

Authorities say Smith was hospitalized after shooting himself during the standoff. 

The manhunt for Smith began Monday evening.

Law enforcement said Smith was considered exceptionally dangerous, with a history of mental illness.

Smith is related to one of the three homicide victims.

The Knox County Sheriff says Smith called 911 Tuesday morning. He told the dispatcher he was wanted for homicide in Florida, and  ‘threatened suicide by cop’.

After a two hour stand-off at a Knoxville Days Inn, officers broke into Smith’s room where he was found with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.