Suffolk police: Man wanted in fatal shooting of Alex Smith arrested in Florida
Suffolk police say Joseph Scalafani, who was wanted for the murder of Alex Smith on May 20 in Mastic Beach, was taken into custody by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office early Sunday morning.
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A 32-year-old Mastic Beach man wanted in a fatal shooting last month has been taken into custody in Florida.
Suffolk police say Joseph Scalafani, who was wanted for the fatal shooting of Alex Smith on May 20 in Mastic Beach, was taken into custody by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office early Sunday morning. Scalafani was arrested in St. Pete Beach and will return to Suffolk County pending an extradition hearing.
Police say Alex Smith was shot at approximately 2 a.m. following a confrontation that occurred in the parking lot of Linsa Torr's Place. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The victim is one of eight children in the Smith family and the younger brother of former WBO light heavyweight champion boxer Joe “The Beast” Smith Jr. His family says Smith leaves behind four young children, ages 10 months to 9 years old.
Last month, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said Smith was with Scalafani's ex-girlfriend at the time of the shooting.
"They actually have two children in common, so this looks like this might have been a crime of hate and jealousy because it seems like it was old baby father shooting new boyfriend in a really disturbing, concerning crime," Harrison said.
The Smith family released a statement:
“On behalf of our family we would like to thank the law enforcement agencies involved in apprehending the person who murdered our son Alex. It does not fill the void in our hearts as we miss him every minute of the day, but it does give us some peace knowing he cannot do this to another family. We have faith in the justice system and hope that he will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Alex is never coming back but we see him every day in his children and for that we are grateful. He will forever remain in our hearts.”
