Keenan Damond Smith, a 25-year-old African American male from Winterville, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on July 20, 2022, in a shooting incident at Le Le Convenient Mart in Ayden, North Carolina. The incident occurred at approximately 7:14 p.m. when Ayden police responded to reports of a possible gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered two men who had been shot. Keenan Damond Smith was transported to ECU Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The other victim, Walter Kyle Irving Cooley, a 26-year-old African American male, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the identification and arrest of Akyree Ronnell Collins-Smith, a 23-year-old African American male from Greenville, North Carolina. Collins-Smith was apprehended in Durham with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, Greenville Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, and the State Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Apprehension Team.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not released further information regarding the charges against Collins-Smith or any potential connections between the suspect and the victims. The Ayden Police Department continues to seek information from the public to aid in the investigation.
The tragic deaths of Keenan Damond Smith and Walter Kyle Irving Cooley have left the community in mourning. A candlelight vigil was held at the convenience store to honor their memories and bring the community together in the wake of this senseless violence.
