MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A man who, investigators say, shot and killed his cousin during an altercation in a Hobe Sound community has been charged in the incident, deputies said.
Roderick Bertram Dames, 45, has been charged in the shooting death of 51-year-old Ernest Alvin Smith, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office told WPTV on Friday.
WATCH: Community, family mourn death of Ernie Smith
Deputies said on Thursday, just before 6 p.m., Dames and Smith got into an altercation in the roadway along Begonia Way in Hobe Sound.
According to investigators, the altercation escalated and Smith was shot and, ultimately, died from his injuries. Dames was still at the scene when deputies arrived.
WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man shot, killed cousin during altercation
Deputies said after hours of investigation, detectives arrested Dames on a second-degree murder charge.
He is being held at Martin County Jail without bond.
Response from community
Smith’s popular BBQ spot was located right off Dixie Highway in Hobe Sound, north of SE High Point Way.
The blue tent isn’t there, but the picnic tables are still set up.
Throughout Friday, people and customers who knew Smith have been writing messages on the tables. Someone wrote "Ernie" in large font, right in the middle.
Friday afternoon, someone dropped off a small roadside memorial on the site.
WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield spoke to people living in the Gomez community in Hobe Sound.
They tell him Smith was a great person, made great BBQ and always struck up a conversation with customers.
