In the spring of 2017, the life of 19-year-old Vastoria Lucas was tragically cut short in her Nashville, Tennessee community. On the afternoon of March 28th, while walking home from a basketball game in the James Cayce Homes housing project, she was shot multiple times in the chest and legs. The brazenness of the daylight shooting, which occurred near a playground where children were present, sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and left a community in mourning for the high school senior
known for her love of basketball.
The investigation into her death quickly led to a suspect. Kevin Smith, a man with a criminal record who was known to Vastoria and her family, was arrested a short time after the shooting. Following his arrest, Smith confessed to killing the teenager. Reports suggest a possible motive stemmed from an altercation between Smith and Vastoria that had occurred three years prior, during which she had defended herself against an assault by him. The senseless act of violence left many unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss among those who knew her.
In the aftermath of her death, the community grappled with the violence that had claimed a promising young life. Her funeral was an outpouring of grief, with family, friends, and community members remembering her as a talented and good-hearted individual. The legal process that followed brought some measure of justice for Vastoria. Kevin Smith was ultimately convicted for the murder and received a sentence of life in prison plus ten years. Despite the conviction, the tragic loss of Vastoria Lucas continues to serve as a painful reminder of the impact of gun violence.
