Allegheny County Fugitives Arrested In Florida Following Standoff

ST. PETE BEACH, FL -- Two reportedly dangerous fugitives from Allegheny County, North Carolina, are in custody after hiding out in an apartment on Treasure Island since Sunday, Aug. 12.

According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri during a press conference at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, deputies in Allegheny County attempted to pull over a blue truck driven by Donald Billings, 50, with Alton Smoot, 26, as a passenger on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 11:35 p.m. The two men opened fire on deputies using an AR-15 rifle and handguns. Due to the danger, the deputies ceased their pursuit.

In the meantime, the two men, both of whom have lengthy criminal histories, reportedly stole a car and drove to an apartment complex at 9927 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, where a former girlfriend of Billings lives.

The U.S. Marshal's Service alerted the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office of Billings and Smoots location.

Deputies arrived around 8 p.m. and Billings told them he didn't intend to be taken alive. In addition to the AR-15, he told deputies he'd made a pipe bomb out of gun powder, metal and a detonator. He said he was going to save the last round in the AR-15 for himself.

The sheriff's office spent two hours evacuating the apartment complex and surrounding homes due to the potential danger from the pipe bomb and rounds of the AR-15. They also prevented drivers from crossing the Blind Pass Road bridge while the standoff was underway.

During the standoff, Smoot was taken into custody. He told deputies that Billings was armed with the pipe bomb, the AR-15, a handgun and a machete.

Gualtieri said the SWAT team attempted to establish a dialogue with Billings but he refused to talk. They tried using tear gas to draw him out but he remained ensconced in the apartment. Finally, they used flash bangs to coax him out.

Shortly after using the flash bangs, the apartment caught fire. Gualtieri isn't sure if Billings started the fire or the flash bangs sparked it.

Firefighters extinguished the flames and, when the SWAT team entered, they found Billings on the floor with severe burns on his hands and face. He was airlifted Tampa General Hospital's burn unit for treatment.

Billings faces multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and felony conspiracy to commit attempted first-degree murder and fleeing and eluding. Smoot also has numerous charges including aggravated assault with a gun.

Gualtieri said the resident of the apartment is not being charged.

"She was cooperative," he said. "She was scared of them."

Video via Pinellas Sheriff