Two men arrested for the Sept. 9, 2021 murder of Marquel "Manny" Murray in Hernando, FL

Citrus County Sheriff's Office, August 23, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

Citrus County, Florida - Earlier this week, as the result of an intensive investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Major Crimes Unit, Citrus County arrest warrants were obtained for two men, who were soon arrested, in regard to the murder of 20 year-old Marquel "Manny" Murray in 2021.

The two suspects, Thomas Paul Smith and Dmitry William Growdon, both age 29, (see mugshots below) were each charged with third degree murder with a firearm, criminal conspiracy while armed with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On Thursday, September 9, 2021, at approximately 1:01 a.m., the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Communications Division received a call for service regarding a vehicle that appeared to have crashed into a wooded area off of North Alabaster Drive in Hernando, Florida.

Deputies responded to the scene and located a 2020 white Dodge pick-up truck in the wooded area next to the roadway. Bullet holes were observed on the outside of the vehicle, and inside the vehicle, the sole occupant, 20 year-old Marquel "Manny" Murray, was found deceased, with several wounds that appeared to be gunshot wounds.

Detectives and crime scene specialists with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation, treating the incident as a homicide, which was later confirmed by the Citrus County Medical Examiner's office in Leesburg, Florida.

During the initial phase of the investigation, detectives and crime scene specialists collected critical physical evidence. Detectives conducted numerous interviews and also obtained digital evidence that helped solidify the case. Sufficient information was garnered that detectives established probable cause to issue the arrest warrants for Smith and Growdon.

Suspect Dmitry William Growdon, who is currently in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections on charges unrelated to this case, will be held in reference to the Citrus County warrant.

On Friday night, August 22, 2025, Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputies made contact with suspect Thomas Paul Smith during a traffic stop and placed him under arrest on the Citrus County warrant. He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto, Florida, where he will be held without bond.

"No amount of time can diminish the importance of justice," said Citrus County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Thomas Dowling. "Our hearts go out to the Murray family, who have been waiting for this moment. This arrest proves that criminals can't hide forever. And we will not rest until those who commit such acts of violence are held accountable. We will continue to work closely with our partners at the Fifth Judicial Circuit to bring this case to a conclusion."

Anyone with additional information on this crime is encouraged to contact the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Major Case Section, by phone, at 352-726-1121. If you would prefer to report your information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc., by phone, at 1-888-ANY-TIPS (269-8477).