Nicholas Smoot, 27, of the Hillsboro area has been charged with three felonies for allegedly beating and killing his father early this morning (Dec. 19), according to court documents.
The victim, Eric Smoot, 53, was a retired captain with the Hillsboro Fire Protection District.
Nicholas Smoot has been charged with second-degree murder, a class A felony that carries a penalty of 10 to 30 years or life in prison; second-degree domestic assault, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony punishable by no less than three years in prison, court records show.
He was being held without bond in Jefferson County Jail today, according to court documents.
Eric Smoot died shortly after 6 a.m. at an area hospital, after he allegedly was injured in an altercation with his son at their home in the 1000 block of Tracy Lane northwest of Hillsboro, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Nicholas Smoot was arrested at the home, the report said.
Eric Smoot had served about 30 years with Hillsboro Fire before retiring in 2014, said Brian Gaudet, chief for the fire district.
“We are all extremely shocked and devastated by the news of his untimely death,” Gaudet said. “He was an asset and loyal employee for many years at the Hillsboro Fire Protection District. We offer our comfort and prayers to the family moving forward.”
Deputies got a call around 3:15 a.m. about a domestic disturbance at the Hillsboro-area home. When they arrived, Nicholas Smoot allegedly was on top of his father and appeared ready to strike him with a bottle, a probable-cause statement said.
Before that, Nicholas Smoot allegedly had been attacking his girlfriend, a 26-year-old Hillsboro woman, at the home, the report said.
Nicholas Smoot allegedly forced the woman onto a bed and onto the floor in one of the home’s bedrooms and was twisting her body and limbs into various painful positions. The woman also told authorities he bit her right forearm and nose, the probable-cause statement said.
The woman had a red mark and bruising on her arm, and her nose was cut and bleeding, the report said.
Eric Smoot tried to intervene, and his son allegedly attacked him, and the two wound up in the kitchen, according to the report.
The woman told deputies that Nicholas Smoot allegedly hit his father twice in the stomach with a metal golf club, according to the report.
Medical staff told deputies Eric Smoot had cuts on his arms and forehead, as well as injuries to his stomach area, and likely suffered internal bleeding, the report said.
Gaudet said Eric Smoot is remembered fondly at Hillsboro Fire.
“He always had a smile on his face, and he made work fun,” Gaudet said. “He was an experienced firefighter, and losing that experience when he retired left a huge void at the Hillsboro Fire Protection District. He was just an all-around fun guy to work with and a knowledgeable firefighter.
“He was a great guy, who would have helped anyone he could. We are devastated by the news.”