U.S. Marshals: Double murder suspect surrenders to Bloomfield police, feds
The five-month, nationwide manhunt for Russell Smith, who police said is responsible for a double-murder in Bloomfield, ended Thursday with his peaceful arrest, a federal official said.
Russell surrendered to Bloomfield police and the U.S. Marshals about 7 a.m., said Matthew Duffy, a deputy U.S. Marshal. The arrest followed the release of information about the continuing search for Smith, including the fact a $5,000 reward was being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Duffy said Smith’s associates and friends contacted authorities on his behalf to say he intended to turn himself in.
The arrest was “uneventful,” he said.
Smith had addresses in Bloomfield and Springfield, Mass. and has been known to visit Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and New York. He was last known to be in McDonough, Ga., on July 31.
Police suspect Smith fatally shot Aaron Walker, 43, of Windsor, and Franklin Spencer, 42, of East Hartford, outside Elizabeth’s Bar & Restaurant about 1 a.m. Feb. 22. The popular restaurant at 774 Park Avenue is across the street from the Bloomfield police station.
Authorities said Smith, Walker and Spencer got into an argument inside the bar and the confrontation continued in the parking lot.
Smith shot one of the men in the chest and the other in the head before fleeing, police said.
Christine Dempsey can be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
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