On a Friday night in Indianapolis, what began as a dispute inside a steakhouse escalated into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 32-year-old Robert Blaine Smith. The incident unfolded on February 28, 2025, at a Texas Roadhouse located in the 4300 block of Southport Crossing Drive. Inside the restaurant, a fight broke out between Smith and another man, later identified as 34-year-old Randy Godfrey of Greenfield.
An off-duty Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer who
was dining at the restaurant, along with other patrons and employees, attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation. The conflict, however, spilled out into the parking lot. Godfrey allegedly followed Smith outside and shot him. The off-duty officer ran toward the sound of gunfire and was able to detain Godfrey at gunpoint until on-duty officers arrived. When first responders reached the scene, they found Smith in the parking lot with at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died a short time later. The Marion County Coroner's Office subsequently ruled his death a homicide.
Randy Godfrey was arrested at the scene and has since been formally charged with the murder of Robert Blaine Smith. During an initial court hearing, a judge entered a preliminary plea of not guilty on Godfrey's behalf and he was ordered to be held without bond. Court records indicate that a pretrial conference and a jury trial have been scheduled.
