Crime & Safety

Bel Air Man's Death Investigated as Homicide

There have been no arrests in the death of Rodney Holmes Smith.

Police are investigating the  as a homicide, authorities said.

While the manner of death of Rodney Holmes Smith was initially unclear, a preliminary report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Monday indicated that Smith was the victim of a homicide.

"They said it’s definitely a homicide," Bel Air Police Chief Leo Matrangola said.

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Matrangola said Smith's injuries were caused by blunt force trauma.

“Right now we’re interviewing associates and friends and trying to find out more about his behavior, his pattern of life," Matrangola said.

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There are no suspects.

Bel Air Police were familiar with Smith, having responded to a call at his apartment within the past two weeks. The apartment is located behind a Bel Air business between Hays Street and U.S. Route 1.

"He reportedly had an argument with someone who had come to his apartment," Bel Air Police Chief Leo Matrangola said of the prior incident.

Despite the recent dispute, police do not believe Smith's death is connected to any recent incidents.

"There were no signs of forced entry," Matrangola said. "He probably knew his attacker."

Around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, someone called 911 and reported a friend was covered in blood inside the apartment in the 200 block of Baltimore Pike and had possibly killed himself, call records show. When police arrived they found Smith's body.

Detectives and crime scene investigators with the Bel Air Police Department and the Harford County Sheriff's Office were  called to the scene to investigate, according to a police news release.

Anyone with information about Smith's death can email information to crimetips@belairmd.org or call Det. Amy Bagley or Det. Sgt. Jim Lockard with the Bel Air Police Department, 410-638-4500.


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