Benjamin Keith Smith, a 51-year-old man from Durham, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on February 21, 2020. The incident occurred on the morning of February 20, 2020, when officers were flagged down on Holloway Street near Raynor Street and informed that a man had been shot. Upon arrival, officers found Benjamin Keith Smith in a parking lot near the intersection of Holloway and Raynor streets.
He was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported that Benjamin Keith Smith, a 51-year-old African American man, had been involved in an argument with another individual before the shooting took place. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Taki D. Farley, was apprehended by responding officers after a brief chase. Farley, who is a convicted felon, was found in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest.
Taki D. Farley was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the death of Benjamin Keith Smith. Additionally, Farley faced charges of larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle related to an unrelated car theft that occurred earlier that morning on Chautauqua Street. Farley was held at the Durham County Jail without bond.
The investigation into the death of Benjamin Keith Smith revealed that the argument between Smith and Farley escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. The Durham Police Department urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the community and the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such tragedies.
