DANVILLE, Va. – Danville Police have arrested a man wanted in connection with a fatal beating that happened in July of last year.

Lindsey Antonio “Tony” Wilson, 39, was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Sunday. He was wanted on an outstanding warrant for malicious wounding in the death of 72-year-old Melvin Smith of Martinsville. Smith was assaulted on July 4, 2019 and later died Duke University Medical Center.

Wilson, of Yanceyville, North Carolina, was identified as a suspect soon after the incident and had been sought by police. He is being held without bond in the Danville City Jail.

Police were called to the emergency room of Sovah Health Danville on Independence Day after receiving a report that someone had dropped off an elderly man with severe injuries.   Smith had been beaten and was treated for blunt force trauma and lacerations to his head and neck.  He was transferred to Duke, where he later died.

Police located the vehicle used to drop Smith off in the 800 block of Betts Street and executed a search warrant at the same address.  The evidence indicated the assault occured at this location.