Royheem Deeds, wanted in connection to the shooting death of Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith, was arrested along with two others early Monday morning in Florida.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported Deeds was arrested on a traffic stop conducted by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office around 1:30 a.m. on U.S. 1 in Hilliard, Florida.
Also in the vehicle were Deeds’ sister, 22-year-old Franshawn Deeds of Lumber City, GA, and 32-year-old Jamil Mitchell, also of Lumber City. All three incdividuals are currently in custody at the Nassau County Jail where they await extradition back to Georgia and face additional charges.
GBI officials state the arrest was the result of a tip received by the GBI and the U.S. Marshals Service and communicated to Florida authorities.
Officer Tim Smith was responding to a call of a suspicious person around 9:30 p.m. Saturday and was shot while exiting his patrol car to confront the suspect. Smith returned gunfire, and the individual fled the scene. The officer was transported to an area hospital, where he died.
Smith began his career at the Eastman Police Department in February 2011. At the time of his death, he was 31 years of age. He is survived by three children.
Franshawn Deeds
Jamil Mitchell