In the early evening of February 26, 2021, the life of 21-year-old Cortney Smith was tragically cut short in the Spanish Lake area of north St. Louis County, Missouri. Responding to a ShotSpotter notification at approximately 5:50 p.m., St. Louis County police officers arrived in the 11600 block of Criterion Avenue to a grim discovery. Inside a vehicle, they found Cortney Smith suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Emergency services rushed Smith to a nearby hospital in an attempt
to save his life. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons promptly took charge of the investigation, classifying the case as a homicide.
In the days following the shooting, authorities publicly identified Cortney Smith as the victim and confirmed he was a resident of St. Louis. The investigation into his death was described as very active, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case. However, details regarding a motive or potential suspects have not been released.
As of now, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests made in connection with the murder of Cortney Smith. The case remains an open and ongoing investigation, leaving a family and community awaiting answers and justice for the young man whose life was violently taken.
