In the late hours of a Monday night, on February 1, 2016, the life of Roshawn Smith, a 24-year-old man, was tragically cut short in a violent act that has since left a void in the hearts of his loved ones. Smith was on the corner of St. Bernard Avenue and Republic Street in New Orleans when he was shot multiple times during a robbery. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to his injuries, dying the following day.
Roshawn was a man deeply rooted in his faith and family.
He served as a deacon at the Abundant Life Tabernacle, where he was studying to become a minister and was set to graduate at the end of that same month. His pastor, Tyrone Jefferson, regarded him as a son and expressed devastation over the senseless loss. Smith's wife, Joanisaha Smith, was left to mourn her husband, a loving father to their three children. His family and friends remember him as an outstanding and loving person who was devoted to his family, his children, and his church. They gathered for a prayer vigil the day after his death, struggling to comprehend why someone so cherished would be the target of such a brutal crime for the contents of his pockets.
The New Orleans Police Department opened a homicide investigation into Roshawn Smith's death, with the motive believed to be robbery. Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with his murder. The authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible. Crimestoppers has offered a financial reward for any tips that could help solve the case, a poignant reminder that justice for Roshawn Smith and his grieving family has yet to be served. His death is a somber testament to the persistent issue of gun violence in the city.
