Verndell Smith, a 32-year-old African American man from Chicago, IL, was tragically killed on May 19, 2021. Smith, a beloved dance coach and a pillar in the Chicago House music dance scene, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of a Dunkin' Donuts near his dance studio in the Park Manor neighborhood. He was struck in the leg, arm, forehead, and torso, and was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
The incident left his family, friends, and students devastated, as Smith was known for providing a safe space for children through his dance studio.
The investigation into Verndell Smith's murder led to the arrest of Diontay Kimberly, a 31-year-old man. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying Kimberly as the suspect. The video showed Kimberly driving into the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot and opening fire on Smith, who was talking on his phone at the time. After the shooting, Kimberly was seen driving to a car wash, where additional surveillance footage captured his face and the license plate of his truck. This evidence, along with the distinctive rims on his truck and a gold bracelet he was wearing, helped police track him down.
Kimberly was arrested on September 15, 2021, after a series of events that included a failed traffic stop and the discovery of a shell casing on his truck's windshield that matched those found at the murder scene. He was charged with first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Despite the arrest, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Smith's sister, LaToya Smith, expressed a bittersweet sense of justice, acknowledging that while the arrest brought some closure, it could never bring her brother back.
The case against Diontay Kimberly proceeded through the legal system, with prosecutors presenting the surveillance footage and other evidence linking him to the crime. The community mourned the loss of Verndell Smith, remembering him as a mentor and a positive influence on the lives of many young people. His death highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the impact it has on families and communities.
