In Lithonia, Georgia, on November 27, 2022, a domestic dispute escalated to a fatal conclusion, ending the life of 29-year-old Demonte Smith. The tragic events unfolded after Smith's girlfriend and the mother of his youngest child, 30-year-old Quaneesha Nicole Johnson, returned home after a night out with friends. An argument had started earlier that morning over the phone when Johnson did not come home at the expected time. Smith was concerned for her safety as she had mentioned being in a physical altercation at a club. His concern turned to anger, and during a conference call with Johnson and her family, he threatened to hit her when she got home.
Fearing for her safety, Johnson called 911 to request a police escort to her residence on Edenberry Lane. When she arrived, with officers present, she and Smith began to argue in the front yard. The officers attempted to mediate the situation, but the argument continued. At one point, Johnson asked the officers what would happen if she shot Smith in 'self-defense' and mentioned she had already looked up the relevant laws. The couple was advised to go inside their home to de-escalate the situation.
The officers remained outside, intending to give the couple time to calm down. However, Johnson soon exited the house, went to her car, and retrieved a handgun and a metal tire rod. She went back inside and instructed one of her children to call 911 and report that Smith had hit her. On the recorded 911 call, Johnson can be heard hitting Smith in the head with the tire rod before fatally shooting him. The sound of the gunshot was captured on the recording, followed by Johnson repeatedly saying 'bye' to Smith.
After being shot, Smith stumbled out of the house and collapsed in front of the police officers. His final words to them were, “she hit me in the head with a metal thing and then shot me. Hurry before I die.” Smith had arranged for a rideshare to pick him up just minutes before he was killed. He was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. During questioning at police headquarters, Johnson admitted to investigators that Smith had not physically assaulted her that day.
Quaneesha Nicole Johnson was arrested and stood trial. A jury found her not guilty of malice murder but convicted her of voluntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault-family violence, two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. She was sentenced to ten years of confinement, with five years to be served in prison and five under house arrest, followed by an additional ten years of probation. The judge, however, granted Johnson an appeal bond over the state's objection, allowing her to remain under house arrest while her conviction is appealed.
