Kendrick Maurice Smith, a 22-year-old black man from Winston-Salem, NC, was tragically killed on August 9, 2015. Smith was found dead at 1017 E. Devonshire St. after officers responded to a noise complaint at a crowded home. As they approached, gunfire erupted, and Smith was fatally shot. Wayne Ivan Warren III, 30, was also injured in the shooting but his injuries were not life-threatening.
The incident was part of a larger investigation into a series of shootings in Winston-Salem that
year, with Smith's death marking the ninth homicide in the city for 2015. Detectives worked diligently to piece together the events of that night, but no arrests were made immediately following the incident. The community held a candlelight vigil to remember Smith, who was known affectionately as "Rocko" by those who knew him.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no suspects have been publicly identified or charged in connection with Smith's death. The case remains open, and authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward. The loss of Kendrick Maurice Smith was a somber reminder of the violence that can erupt in even the most unexpected places, leaving a community to mourn and seek justice for a young life cut short.
