FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. – Deputies have arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting outside a Walmart in Lake County, one day after the car involved was found, according to deputies.
Scott Bernard Thomas, 24, has been arrested in the Monday night shooting in Fruitland Park. He was charged with third-degree murder, resisting an officer without violence, and violation of probation for fleeing and eluding. Thomas was apprehended by a sheriff's K-9 after a brief foot chase near his Leesburg apartment.
Thomas is being held on no bond in the Lake County jail.
Thomas has several prior arrests, including possession of marijuana, battery, fleeing, resisting an officer without violence and not having a driver's license.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office said a tip led detectives to an abandoned home near Whitney and Veech roads, where the red Toyota Camry was discovered.
Detectives said the car was seen leaving the Walmart in Fruitland Park on Monday after a man was shot to death.
The slain man was identified by authorities as Mark Allen Estes, 44, whose death has been ruled a homicide.
Officials said the shooting was likely related to drugs because narcotics were found at the crime scene.
"What happened in our parking lot is upsetting, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim," Walmart said in a statement to News 6. "We are working with police as they conduct their investigation."
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Update: A second arrest had been made in connection with the fatal Walmart shooting. Read more about it here.