An OPD officer arresting Dustin Wayne Smith on October 6, 2023 (Photo: Ocala Police Department)
An OPD officer arresting Dustin Wayne Smith on October 6, 2023 (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

A convicted felon from Ocala is behind bars after he was accused of shooting a man in northeast Ocala early Friday morning.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Friday, OPD responded to the 1300 block of NE 15th Street in reference to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his face, according to the police department.

The victim was transported to a local hospital as a trauma alert. In a social media post, Ocala police stated that the victim was in critical but stable condition.

According to OPD, detectives learned that 36-year-old Dustin Wayne Smith was the suspect who allegedly shot the victim, and a department-wide manhunt ensued.

At around 4 p.m. on Friday, a citizen spotted Smith and notified OPD. Officers quickly arrived on scene, and Smith was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail.

An OPD officer arresting Dustin Wayne Smith on October 6, 2023 (Photo: Ocala Police Department)
An OPD officer arresting Dustin Wayne Smith on October 6, 2023 (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

Smith is currently being held at the jail on $95,000 bond.

Dustin Wayne Smith
Dustin Wayne Smith’s booking photo

Smith is facing multiple felony charges that include attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (two counts), possession of a concealed firearm, and possession of a controlled substance (MDPV). In addition, he is facing a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.