JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Within hours of naming a person of interest in a Jacksonville Beach killing, police had the man in his custody.
Michael Small was arrested Tuesday night on a tip from a resident, according to authorities. Small was arrested on an unrelated charge of failing to register as a sex offender.
Recommended Videos
Officers launched a homicide investigation Tuesday morning after an unidentified man was found dead in an alleyway on Third Street North behind Dick's Wings Restaurant.
According to authorities, a neighbor called them at about 7:40 a.m. to tell them an unresponsive man was outside on the street.
When homicide officers arrived, they found the man and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The death is the second homicide in Jacksonville Beach this year, and officers there said they are putting all of their resources into identifying the victim.
"This stuff happens all of the time, but I didn't think it would happen right where I work," said Ron Lambert.
Lambert was one of the first people to spot the dead body.
"Right there in the rut of the alleyway, facedown with his hands tied behind his back. He was facedown. It was freaky," Lambert said. "It made me nervous. It's too close to home, especially where I work."
Police continue to investigate the death but said they did not have much information to go on. An autopsy will be performed on Wednesday.
Police are questioning Small about the incident.
Small is not a suspect in the unidentified man's death.
Anyone with information that could help detectives in their investigation should contact police immediately at 866-845-TIPS.
