Police said the suspect first claimed self-defense after a fatal May shooting.
CLERMONT, Fla. — Clermont police arrested 33-year-old Kirby Alan Smith on Saturday after investigators said a weeks-long homicide inquiry connected him to the fatal shooting of Michael Rodriguez inside a Linton Court residence.
The arrest came more than three weeks after officers responded to 1130 Linton Court, Unit A, on May 20 for a reported shooting. Rodriguez, 47, was found inside with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the home, police said.
Smith was questioned after the shooting and told investigators he fired in self-defense following a verbal dispute with Rodriguez earlier that day, police said. Detectives said they initially lacked enough evidence to challenge that statement, so Smith was released while the case remained open.
Clermont police said the later investigation included multiple interviews, search warrants, subpoenas and work with prosecutors in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Police said that process led to an arrest warrant charging Smith with first-degree murder. Authorities said they also recovered what they believe was the murder weapon.
Rodriguez had been staying at the Linton Court home for several weeks and was described by police as a close associate of Smith. Officials have not released the full timeline of the argument, the shooting or the evidence that changed the course of the case.
Police said Smith was arrested at the same Linton Court address during a coordinated operation with the Mid-Florida SWAT Team. The arrest was made without incident, and Smith was taken to the Lake County Jail. Local reports said he was being held without bond.
The first-degree murder charge marks the latest step in a case that began as a death investigation at a Clermont home and moved into a homicide case after detectives continued gathering records and witness statements.
Author note: Last updated June 15, 2026.