Sheriff's office seeking armed suspect

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man armed with a semiautomatic handgun who has allegedly threatened to kill unspecified individuals in the area.

Gary Lynn Smith, 23, is described as about 160 pounds in weight and 5 feet 10 inches tall. He has a light complexion, green eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and black baseball cap.

Sheriff's deputies began searching for Smith Saturday after he allegedly assaulted an individual known to him and forced them into his vehicle at about 11 a.m. The suspect was allegedly armed with a handgun and threatened to shoot the victim, kill other unspecified persons, and then kill himself.

The victim, whose identity was not disclosed by the sheriff's office, was able to escape and contacted deputies.

The suspect's vehicle was later located by deputies in the 100 block of S. 6th Ave. Deputies, with the assistance of the Yuma Police Department and the Border Patrol, conducted a search of the surrounding area but were unable to locate Smith.

Smith is considered by deputies to be armed and dangerous.

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with any information about the assault Saturday or of Smith's whereabouts to contact them at 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.