In the summer of 2019, the life of 18-year-old Kyler Waiwada was tragically cut short in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. On the evening of August 30th, at approximately 8:15 p.m., police responded to reports of gunfire in the 1800 block of State Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Waiwada at the rear of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Dauphin County Coroner's Office later ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to two suspects, Deion Parson and Adante Smith. Both men were subsequently arrested and faced a slew of serious charges, including first and second-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy. The incident that led to Waiwada's death was a planned meeting to purchase cannabis that took a violent turn. Smith, along with at least one other individual, met with Waiwada with the intent to rob him.
Following his arrest, Adante Smith was tried and convicted by a jury for the murder of Kyler Waiwada. He was found guilty of murder of the first degree, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. For his role in the fatal shooting, Smith received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. During the legal proceedings, it was revealed that Smith had shot Waiwada multiple times at close range during the botched drug deal. Smith later confessed to being present at the scene of the murder.
