Frank Aaron 'Shine' Blackshell, a 60-year-old African American man from Smithfield, NC, tragically passed away on June 19, 2021. He was fatally shot in the head while seated in a car parked on Harris Street in East Smithfield. The incident occurred around 5:15 AM, and despite being rushed to Wake Memorial Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
The investigation into Blackshell's death led to the arrest of Sincere Shamar McLean, a 19-year-old from Fuquay Varina.
McLean was charged with first-degree murder and other related charges, including firing into an occupied dwelling and vehicle. Evidence linked McLean to the crime, including a Taurus 9mm handgun found in his possession, which matched the ballistic evidence from the scene. McLean pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison.
The Smithfield Police Department, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Fayetteville Police Department, conducted a thorough investigation that led to McLean's conviction. The case highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat gang-related violence in the area.
Blackshell was remembered fondly by his family and friends for his athletic abilities, his '100 watt smile,' and his love for the community. He was a graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School and attended Elizabeth City State University on a basketball scholarship. His obituary noted his membership in the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and his involvement in various sports, particularly basketball and baseball.
The loss of Frank Aaron 'Shine' Blackshell was deeply felt by those who knew him, and his memory continues to be honored by his loved ones and the community.
