Texas man allegedly became angry with clinic staff, fatally shot 2 dentists
03/17/2022 2:59 pm PDT
TYLER, Texas (TCD) -- A 40-year-old man faces murder charges after allegedly fatally shooting two dentists this week.
According to KLTV-TV, on Wednesday, March 16, at approximately 2:45 p.m., deputies from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at Affordable Dentures, located at 3081 Highway 31 E.
At the scene, deputies reportedly found two male dentists suffering from gunshot wounds. They were later identified as 59-year-old Dr. Blake G. Sinclair and 75-year-old Dr. Jack E. Burroughs. Both victims were reportedly taken to the hospital and died shortly after.
According to KYTX-TV, the suspect, Steven Alexander Smith, was a patient at the clinic. Smith reportedly got angry with the clinic staff. He exited the business, went to his truck, and came back with a handgun and shot Sinclair and Burroughs, KYTX reports. At one point, Smith allegedly pointed a gun at a nurse, but she pleaded with Smith not to shoot her, telling Smith she had a baby.
According to KYTX, Smith fled the scene after the shooting. A deputy was reportedly able to locate Smith pulling into a driveway. Smith went into the residence, and a perimeter was established around the house, KYTX reports. Smith’s parents allegedly came out of the house first and Smith followed shortly after.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office told KYTX that authorities searched the house and found two pistols with the same caliber as the one used in the fatal shooting.
According to records, Smith was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and capital murder of multiple persons. He remains held in the Smith County Jail on $3 million bond.
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