LEESBURG, Fla. — Alphonza Bryant, 40, of Leesburg, was officially charged with the murder of 37-year-old Melissa Smith on Tuesday. Bryant was already incarcerated at the Lake County Jail on an unrelated charge when detectives and the State Attorney’s office gathered enough evidence to charge him with first-degree premeditated homicide, armed burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Smith was found dead from a gunshot wound in the early morning hours of August 8, 2024, in the laundry room of the home on Penn Street, where she lived with her mother. Police quickly focused on Bryant, who had only been dating Smith for about a week prior to the incident. Investigators learned from a friend of Smith that Bryant had left a dinner at her home the previous evening after an altercation with a neighbor, who had confronted him about how he was treating Smith.
Bryant, who had been released from prison in October 2023 after serving nearly 20 years for armed robbery, was arrested on August 10, 2024, for violating his probation after a domestic battery charge in April.
According to the Leesburg Police Department, detectives continue to gather additional evidence, and no other suspects are being considered in the case.
“We hope these charges allow for some level of healing and relief for the family and friends of Ms. Smith,” said a police release. “We would especially like to thank our community for their assistance with this investigation.”
Bryant remains in jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 19, 2024.