Artesia police have arrested 20-year-old Bobby Smith in connection with the death of security guard Michael Evans, who was shot and killed Sunday moments after he called 911 to report a suspicious person, KOB-TV reported.
Smith was being investigated for other crimes when police found what they said appeared to be evidence in the slaying of Evans, Eyewitness News 4 said.
A search of Smith’s apartment turned up a gun, bullets and clothing similar to what was seen in security footage of the shooting, police said.
Smith is being held on a gun charge while the police continue their investigation, KOB-TV said.
6:41am 2/1/12 — Artesia Security Guard Killed on Duty
A 24-year-old security guard in Artesia was shot and killed Sunday night, and police believe the killer is the subject of a 911 call the guard made moments before his phone went dead, KRQE News 13 reported.
Michael Evans was on duty for Sierra Security guarding the area around the Yates Petroleum building when he called police to report a suspicious person in the alley, News 13 said.
Evans told police the suspicious man walked away when he saw the guard talking on his phone, and when Evans moved toward another building he saw the man again and told dispatch the man was walking toward him, according to KRQE.
The suspect was described as being tall and skinny, wearing black gloves, a green jacket or sweatshirt, with a blue bandanna over his face and was said to be holding a silver-colored handgun, the station reported.
Police responded about three minutes after Evans’ call, but it was too late, News 13 said. The guard was found shot to death inside his security car.
Security cameras in the area caught the incident, and police are hoping to identify the suspected killer from the tapes, KRQE said.
