New Year's Eve Killing In Perris: Charges Filed

PERRIS, CA — A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 36-year-old man during a New Year's Eve confrontation in Perris is slated to be arraigned next month on murder and other charges.

David Christopher Smit, 41, of Perris was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into the slaying of Leo Campos.

Smit is charged with murder, attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

He made his initial court appearance Thursday before Superior Court Judge Walter Kubelun, who appointed him a public defender and scheduled his arraignment for Feb. 5 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Smit is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's Investigator Lance Stoyer, shortly after 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, Smit and Campos were involved in an unspecified confrontation in the 1700 block of Glenview Drive, near Turquoise Drive.

During the encounter, the defendant allegedly pulled a handgun and shot Campos at close range, Stoyer said. He said witnesses called 911, and paramedics reached the location minutes later, attempting life-saving measures to no avail. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Central Homicide Unit detectives quickly identified Smit as the alleged assailant, and he was taken into custody the following morning without incident near the location of the shooting.

According to court records, the defendant has prior convictions for grand theft and domestic violence.