In the pre-dawn hours of February 1, 2025, the quiet of a northeast Memphis neighborhood was broken by the discovery of a tragedy. Thirty-five-year-old Decarlious Emerson Smith, an African American man, was found inside his white 2010 Mazda 3 in the 2200 block of Eveningview Drive. Responding to a call around 3:07 a.m., Memphis Police Department officers found him unresponsive, having been fatally shot.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The circumstances leading to his death remain unclear, leaving a void of answers for his loved ones and the community. As of now, the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, but no arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The Memphis Police Department continues to seek information from the public, hoping for a lead that might bring clarity to the senseless act of violence that took his life.
Known affectionately as Emerson, he was remembered by his family as a man who lived life on his own terms. Born on May 4, 1989, to Decarlious and Pimberly Smith, he was a former hockey player, a talented artist, a car enthusiast, and an animal lover. His sister, Shelby Smith, described him as someone who 'walked to the beat of his own drum' and was dedicated to building a better life for himself and those he cared for. He was a husband to Amanda Smith and a stepfather to three children. In the wake of his death, his family is left to mourn a man known for his kind smile, comedic timing, and unwavering support for the underdog, while they await justice.
