On a Thursday evening in Utica, Kentucky, a chain of events tragically unfolded, leading to the death of 38-year-old Anthony Scott Smalls. On June 26, 2025, deputies from the Daviess County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on Saint Anthony Road around 8 p.m. following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Smalls with a gunshot wound.
Emergency responders, including the sheriff's office, AMR ambulance service, and the Daviess County and Utica Fire
Departments, immediately began life-saving measures. Smalls was then transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. An autopsy later revealed the fatal shot had struck his heart, aorta, and a small portion of his lung before lodging in his spine.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the identification and questioning of a suspect. The homeowner, 57-year-old Darrin Ray Carter, was arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities stated that Smalls was shot as Carter opened the door, with no apparent altercation preceding the shooting. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
Carter now faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and tampering with physical evidence. The investigation remains ongoing. Anthony 'Scotty' Smalls, as he was known to friends and family, was a passionate songwriter and an avid fan of UK basketball and wrestling. His passing has left a void in the lives of his loved ones, including his fiancée, father, siblings, and numerous other relatives and friends.
