SPRING HILL, Fla. — It's been five years since Spring Hill resident Alek Smith was shot and killed by home invaders, and detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office say they're still looking for help from the public to solve the case.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 16, 2018, while Smith's fiance and baby daughter were asleep, multiple people broke into his house. When Smith went to confront them, he was shot and killed.
In a subsequent interview, Smith's fiance, Victoria Casey, said she woke up to find one of the gunmen standing over her with a mask on and pointing a gun in her face.
"I don't think I'll ever get that feeling back being safe in my own home," Casey said.
While nothing can bring Alek back, Casey said those who killed him must be found and brought to justice.
"You can't just do something so horrible. You take somebody's life in front of their fiance and their two-year-old," Casey said. "It kills me that these people are living their everyday lives, probably not even thinking about what they did to us."
The Hernando County Crime Stoppers and the Florida Sheriff's Association have offered a combined reward of $10,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the killers. And while detectives say they've been working continuously on solving the case over the last five years, they still need the public's help.
Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call Detective Tom Cameron at 352-754-6830. Those who would prefer to remain anonymous can submit tips to Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or online.
