ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A 43-year-old man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of an elderly man and a family dog in St. Petersburg is behind bars after being tracked down across the bay.
Jason Blythe was arrested in Tampa on Wednesday on unrelated charges stemming from an active out-of-state warrant. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Blythe will face formal charges for the homicide that took place on Tuesday, June 30th, in the 5800 block of 11th Street South.
According to investigators, the victim—an 86-year-old man whose identity has not yet been released—was shot to death alongside the family pet. While detectives noted that Blythe and the victim knew each other, a specific motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Blythe is currently being held without bond in Hillsborough County. His initial arrest was based on a warrant out of Tifton County, Georgia, for probation violations related to charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, as well as fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
Once detectives and the State Attorney’s Office finalize the paperwork for the local arrest warrant, Blythe will be moved to the Pinellas County Jail. He is slated to be charged with first-degree homicide, animal cruelty, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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