Antwan Morris, a 34-year-old African American man from Cincinnati, OH, was fatally shot on November 7, 2021, while working as a handyman. Morris was at a Northside apartment to replace locks when he was shot in the stomach during a verbal altercation. He was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries three days later on November 10, 2021.
The investigation led to the arrest of Arthur Smith, a 34-year-old man from Millvale, who was identified as the
shooter. Smith was charged with felonious assault and having a weapon while under disability. Police records indicated that Smith was not supposed to possess the .380 semi-automatic handgun he used in the shooting due to a prior conviction for felonious assault. Smith was not initially charged with homicide, but the Cincinnati Police Department's homicide unit continued to investigate Morris' death.
In October 2024, Arthur Smith was convicted of murder, felonious assault, and gun charges related to Antwan Morris' death. He received the maximum sentence of 24 years to life in prison. During the trial, it was revealed that Smith had continued to beat Morris after shooting him, causing him to collapse in the apartment building's parking lot. Morris' family members provided emotional statements during the sentencing, expressing their grief and desire for justice.
The case also uncovered that while awaiting trial, Smith had attempted to orchestrate another killing from jail. He was accused of directing another individual to carry out a hit, which resulted in the death of Devonte Hollis in October 2022. Smith and the individual involved, Wendall Foster, both faced additional charges for this incident.
Antwan Morris was remembered by his family as a devoted father and skilled handyman who often helped others for free. His death left behind three children and unfinished projects, including a house he was building for his sister's autistic son. The family continues to seek closure and justice for Morris' untimely death.
