In March of 2021, a senseless act of violence tragically cut short the life of five-year-old Mya Vimal Patel, an Indian American girl from Shreveport, Louisiana. Mya was born on July 19th, 2015, to her parents, Vimal and Sneha Patel. Described as a fun-spirited and loving child, she was known as a social butterfly who brought joy to everyone around her.
An excellent student and dancer, Mya had a special way of lighting up a room.
The incident occurred at the Super 8 Motel on Monkhouse Drive, which Mya's parents owned and operated. The family resided in a ground-floor unit of the establishment. In the parking lot, a man named Joseph Lee Smith, 35, got into a fight with another individual. During the altercation, Smith struck the man with a 9-mm handgun. The impact caused the weapon to fire. The bullet missed the man involved in the fight but tragically traveled into the Patel's living quarters. The stray bullet struck Mya in the head while she was playing inside and also grazed her mother, Sneha.
Mya was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health, where she fought for her life for three days. She ultimately succumbed to her injuries on March 22nd, 2021. The vibrant young girl, who loved to sing Bhajans and perform for others, was gone, leaving her family and community devastated. Her peaceful passing was noted in her obituary, a stark contrast to the violent act that led to her death.
The suspect, Joseph Lee Smith, was apprehended on March 21, 2021, in Longview, Texas, and was subsequently extradited back to Shreveport. In January 2023, a jury found Smith guilty of manslaughter in connection with Mya's death. He was also convicted on charges of aggravated battery and obstruction of justice. Two months later, in March 2023, a judge sentenced Smith to a total of 100 years in prison at hard labor, ensuring he would be held accountable for the devastating loss of a young life filled with promise.
