Devin J. Smith, 31, male, Black / African American, was shot and killed on the night of September 5, 2025, outside a business in Chicago’s South Loop near the 1300 block of South Michigan Avenue. Police said an argument erupted between Devin J. Smith, 31, and a 32-year-old employee, and the confrontation turned physical shortly after 9:28 p.m. Paramedics pronounced Devin J. Smith, 31, dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.
Early reports noted the employee was taken into custody as Area Three detectives began their investigation.
Within two days, prosecutors provided a more detailed account in court, alleging the employee was working as a security guard and that the dispute began inside a smoke shop over an attempt to trade cannabis for a rolling tray. According to the charging narrative described at a detention hearing, the guard stepped outside and argued on the sidewalk with Devin J. Smith, 31, for more than ten minutes. Prosecutors said the guard then returned inside, declared he intended to fight, came back out, and after a scuffle in which he fell to the ground and got up, he drew a pistol, chased Devin J. Smith, 31, and ultimately shot him in the face as the victim backed away. Surveillance video cited in court allegedly showed the guard racking the slide before firing and then placing a gun in the victim’s hand to stage a struggle.
Authorities identified the accused as Souleymane Diallo, 33, and charged him with first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, noting he lacked a Firearm Owner’s Identification card or concealed-carry license and was not licensed as an armed security guard. A judge granted prosecutors’ petition to detain him. The Chicago Police Department subsequently released a written notice listing the charges and Diallo’s arrest details.
The incident was also logged by independent trackers, which recorded the time and location of the shooting on September 5, 2025, in the 1300 block of South Michigan Avenue. Community memorial pages identified Devin J. Smith, 31, and confirmed the date and city of his death.
