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COUNTY, FL -- The man whose fiancee was killed on State Road 26 in Melrose Friday afternoon when the couple was attacked is going to make a plea to the public for tips in the case.
Clint Horvatt and Summer Smith stopped to talk to a motorist Friday afternoon at around 2:50 p.m. on State Road 26, just north of Melrose. Horvatt tells investigators the couple was on their way to Gainesville to shop when they spotted a small pickup on the side of State Road 26 near Swan Lake Camp and stopped. Horvatt says his fiancee, Summer J. Smith, 36, recognized the parked truck, Horvatt said, and told him to stop.
According to Horvatt, a man got out of the truck and approached the car Horvatt and Smith were in. Horvatt says the man demanded everything they had, and then shot Smith in the head as they were handing over their belongings.
The suspect fled after shooting Smith. She was flown by helicopter to the Gainesville trauma center where she was pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 p.m. The gunman is described as a black man in his late 20s, 6 feet tall, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
The suspect's vehicle is a small, red pick-up truck (late 80s early 90s) which is missing it's tailgate, has a bent down rear bumper, and is described as dirty and junky looking. Anyone with information should call Detective John Merchant at 386-329-0800.
First Coast News spoke with Clint Horvatt this interview. We'll bring you a full report on First Coast News at 11.
©2008 First Coast News .
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