41-year-old Steven Alan Swearingen has been sentenced to life in prison in the slaying of a Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputy. In August 2024, Swearingen was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder in the death of 52-year-old Steven Smolensky.

Authorities say Swearingen was a convicted felon who was charged with Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and False Imprisonment.

Around 9:45 a.m. on November 30, 2021, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting at a residence in Weirsdale. At the scene, deputies found Steven Smolensky deceased with multiple gunshot wounds.

Authorities said the investigation determined that the victim had visited the location to deliver propane for his employer, Suburban Propane. While there, he was approached by Swearingen who was armed with a pistol. Swearingen held the victim at gunpoint before shooting him multiple times.

Police say Swearingen claimed he thought the victim was there to “fill the home with propane” so he confronted him with a handgun. Swearingen also reportedly said the victim clarified that he was there to refill the propane tank.

Authorities say Swearingen acknowledged that the victim only had a cell phone in his hands when he was shot.