On the evening of August 14, 2017, in Salisbury, Maryland, 31-year-old Arthur William Smith Jr. was tragically killed. Known affectionately to some as 'A.W.', Smith was a graduate of Wicomico High School who had also attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Wor-Wic Community College, where he made the Dean's List while studying to become a certified welder.
That Monday night, between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m., Smith was out walking his dog in the 800 block of Gettysburg Avenue.
It was then that the sound of gunshots rang out, prompting residents to call 911. When Salisbury police officers arrived at the scene, they found Smith lying in the front yard of a residence, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was rushed towards Peninsula Regional Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries while en route. His death marked the seventh homicide in Salisbury that year.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit took the lead in the investigation, with assistance from the Salisbury Police Department and the state police's Forensic Sciences Division. Early information suggested the involvement of at least two suspects, though it remained unclear if Smith was the intended target. Investigators have continued to seek information about a small, black, four-door vehicle that was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting occurred.
Despite the ongoing investigation and a reward of up to $2,500 offered by Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore for information leading to an arrest, the case remains unsolved. No arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Arthur William Smith Jr., and his killer or killers have not been brought to justice. The authorities continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.
