Double homicide on County Rd. 95, just south of Elberta

Double homicide on County Rd. 95, just south of Elberta
Police arrest suspect after chase in Mobile the following day

By Fran Thompson
A Pensacola resident was arrested for capital murder for killing two Seattle men in what police described as a drug deal that went bad on the road between Elberta and Josephine on County Rd. 95.
Police alledge Ryan Frazier and Joshua Carroll were killed, probably in their vehicle, by Antwon Smith, 37, a Pensacola resident, according to the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit.
The victims were found by a newspaper delivery person on County Road 95, south of Elberta, at around 4 a.m. on Oct. 9.
“There was a significant amount of blood, ammo, and other items to support this violent crime happened in the vehicle,’’ said Lt. Andre Reid of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Reid said Smith shot both men several times and left them for dead on the side of the road. He then took Frazier’s vehicle and personal items and drove around Baldwin County before leaving the area.
Mobile police spotted the stolen vehicle and arrested the suspect the following day after he crashed an auto registered to Frazier following a chase.
Smith was also charged with possession of marijuana, heroin, and a handgun that police believe is the murder weapon. Smith was also in possession of Frazier’s wallet when he was arrested Oct. 10.
Police used info from a tag on Carroll’s dog, which led to a previous owner and Carroll’s first name. The dog named Baloo was guarding the bodies at the crime scene. That info led to identifying the victims and eventually the suspect.
“Law enforcement agencies worked together to find the suspect quickly despite having little evidence when they started,’’ said Baldwin County District Attorney Bob Wilters. “We put 30 investigators on a case where you don’t even know who the victimes are. It was awesome to see these investigators get together and work on this case. And within 48 hours an arrest had been made.’’
“Our community is safe, we thought this was isolated and it was. Mr. Smith is now in custody and that person is off the street. Our focus now is to work towards a solid prosecution,” added. Lt. Reid.
The victims were working as linemen in Louisiana and, after evacuating during Hurricane Delta, sought work from a company they had previously worked for in Pensacola. They met Smith through co-workers.
Smith is also a person of interest in the disappearance of woman in 2017 in Crestview, Florida. According to Crestview police, Calandra Stallworth and Smith were dating at the time. Smith was arrested on drug charges later while driving Stallworth’s car.
Carrroll’s aunt, Penny Vincent, organized a gofundme page for her nephew. “We would sincerely like to thank everyone in Baldwin Country for your outpouring of love and compassion for Joshua and Ryan,’’ Vincent wrote in her post. “hey are sweet and loving boys who now rest easy in Gods arms now.”
Pictured: (r to l) murder victims Ryan Frazier and Joshua Carroll; murder suspect Antwon Smith; Lt. Andre Reid of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.