On a spring evening in Memphis, Tennessee, the life of a young Black man, Anthony Dewayne Smith, was tragically cut short at the age of 20. On May 5, 2018, while visiting a friend in the Orange Mound neighborhood, Smith was fatally shot. The circumstances surrounding his death suggest a targeted act, leaving his family grappling with unanswered questions and a justice system that has yet to provide them with closure.
According to reports, Smith was at a friend's house on Boston Street
when a blue Ford Fusion pulled up. Someone inside the vehicle gestured for him to approach. As he did, he was shot twice. His mother, Lisa Moore, later recounted the devastating phone call from his father, urging her to rush to the hospital. Despite the efforts of paramedics who transported him to the hospital, Smith succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators believe there were several witnesses to the shooting, yet a wall of silence has impeded their progress. Moore has expressed her profound belief that her son was set up and that those present at the scene hold the key to identifying his killer. The lack of cooperation from witnesses has been a significant hurdle in the investigation, leading to the case becoming cold.
As of early 2023, more than five years after Anthony Smith's murder, his killer remains at large. The Memphis Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward, offering a cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest. The family continues to hold out hope that someone will break their silence and provide the crucial information needed to bring the person or persons responsible for Anthony's death to justice. The case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for his loved ones and the Orange Mound community.
