In the spring of 2011, a promising young man's life was tragically cut short in the heart of Detroit. Courtney 'Cortez' Smith, a 20-year-old male, was a student and a celebrated football player for Wayne State University. On May 5, 2011, he was with teammates outside a downtown nightclub when a dispute erupted. In an attempt to be a peacemaker and de-escalate the confrontation, Smith found himself in the middle of a volatile situation that would ultimately cost him his life.
During the altercation, two men, Quentin King and Anton Blevins, pursued Smith. Blevins handed a gun to King, who then fatally shot the young athlete. Smith was struck in the chest and head. A 25-year-old man who was with Smith was also wounded in the shooting, sustaining a leg injury. The violence of that night sent shockwaves through the community and left the family and friends of Courtney Smith in profound grief.
The investigation into the shooting led to the identification of Quentin King and Anton Blevins as the primary suspects. Blevins was apprehended in Las Vegas in December 2011. Following their arrests, both men faced the judicial system for their roles in the death of Courtney Smith. The legal proceedings brought to light the senseless nature of the killing, which stemmed from a simple argument in a parking lot.
Ultimately, justice was served for Courtney 'Cortez' Smith and his family. Quentin King was convicted of first-degree murder for his act of pulling the trigger and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Anton Blevins, who supplied the weapon, was found guilty of second-degree murder. For his part in the crime, Blevins was sentenced to a term of 30 to 60 years in prison. He also received concurrent sentences for multiple counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The convictions brought a measure of closure to a family that had been searching for it since the tragic loss of their son.
