A 17-year-old male has been arrested and booked into Sacramento County Juvenile Hall in connection with the Friday night death of Ronald Smith in Sacramento.
Smith, 32, initially was thought to have sustained a gunshot wound to his upper body about 11 p.m. Friday at the site of an apparent cockfight behind a private home in the 9500 block of Gerber Road.
Sheriff's authorities today said further investigation showed that Smith was not shot but, rather, was the victim of an assault that proved fatal.
The 17-year-old had run across the street Friday night with his own injuries and asked an occupant of one apartment unit for help, authorities said. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for his injuries, according to the report from Sheriff's Department spokesman Jason Ramos.
After further investigation, authorities said the teenager is believed to have gone to the site of the cockfight with the intent to commit a robbery. In the course of that effort, authorities said, Smith suffered his fatal injuries.
Sacramento County Sheriff's homicide detectives booked the juvenile for investigation of murder and attempted robbery. His name and photograph are being withheld because he is a juvenile.
This investigation is ongoing, and homicide detectives are seeking to identify other individuals who may be connected to this incident. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Sheriff's Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5115.
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