Detectives have arrested Gerardo Rivera-Pagan after an apparent double-stabbing that happened last Sunday near Egypt Lakes, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
According to deputies, Ovideo Sanchez, 45, initially stabbed Luis Rivers, 19, who has been hospitalized since last Sunday. They believe Rivera-Pagan then stabbed and killed Sanchez a short time later.
The murder was sparked by a fight in a smoke shop over $10 of marijuana, deputies said.
Detectives believe Ovidio Sanchez confronted Luis Rivers for the money at Angel's Smoke Shop at 4040 W. Waters Ave. when Sanchez stabbed Rivers several times.
Rivers sought help at a nearby 7-Eleven and was taken to a hospital.
Through their investigation, detectives determined Gerardo Rivera-Pagan was close friends with Rivers, and witnessed the first stabbing at the smoke shop.
Rivera-Pagan returned a short time later and stabbed Sanchez, leaving him in a dry drainage ditch on the north side of W. Waters Ave. and N. Lois Ave.
Detectives say they believe the stabbings are related because of their proximity to each other, but they're still investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 247-8200.
Rivera-Pagan was booked on a charge of 1st degree murder with a weapon.