In the quiet community of Marrero, Louisiana, the evening of September 4, 2019, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of 7-year-old Mekia Smith. The young girl was inside her family's home on Sorbonne Drive when two men, who were known to the family, entered with the intent to commit a robbery. The situation quickly escalated, leading to a quadruple shooting that left Mekia and 21-year-old Ronald Eddington dead, and two others wounded.
The individuals responsible for
this tragedy were identified as Malik McGinnis and Everette Campbell. Investigations revealed that the duo had gone to the residence with the plan to steal marijuana from one of the occupants. During the attempted robbery, McGinnis opened fire, fatally wounding both Mekia and Eddington. An 11-year-old girl was also shot in the forearm, and a 19-year-old man was shot in the stomach as he wrestled with the gunman.
In the aftermath of the shooting, both suspects were apprehended and faced legal proceedings. Malik McGinnis, the gunman, was convicted in February 2022 on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and obstruction of justice. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. His accomplice, Everette Campbell, pleaded guilty in May 2022 to two counts of manslaughter and one count of obstruction of justice for his role in the fatal home invasion. A judge sentenced Campbell to 35 years in prison. The resolution of these cases brought a measure of justice for the families of Mekia Smith and Ronald Eddington, whose lives were tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence.
