Rickie Jarekus Smith, a man remembered for his comedic and free-spirited nature, was known by friends and family as the life of the party. The 42-year-old was described by loved ones as hilarious, outspoken, and a sharp dresser who was deeply family-oriented. He was a protector with a great smile and had a daughter named Rickia. Friends and family also knew him by nicknames like "lil rick," "2 much," and "ricochet."
His loss left a profound void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
In the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, September 26, 2026, the quiet of Atlanta's Historic Fourth Ward Park was broken by the sound of gunfire. A neighbor, Cynthia Bowman, heard two gunshots that sounded very close and called 911 at approximately 4:45 a.m. Atlanta Police Department officers from Zone 6 responded to a report of a person shot at 664 Angier Avenue NE, an address near the park's playground, at around 4:50 a.m. The park, a popular green space known for its splash pad, skate park, and walking trails, is a hub for families and residents in the bustling Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.
When they arrived, officers discovered Rickie Jarekus Smith with an apparent gunshot wound. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed his identity. Homicide investigators began working to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting in a neighborhood they said they were rarely called to. Lt. Christapher Butler, with the APD’s Homicide Unit, noted the unusual nature of the crime for that specific area.
During the initial investigation at the scene, police detained a man for questioning. “Right now, we have that person back at headquarters meeting with detectives to try to figure out what happened,” Lt. Butler told reporters at the time. Investigators initially reported that they did not believe the shooter and Smith had known each other. The violence shocked residents of the typically safe and family-friendly area. As neighbors woke up to walk their dogs, they were met with a crime scene and expressed their sadness and surprise. “It’s sad. It’s really sad,” said Bowman. “There’s so many kids and families and people walking their dogs that it does give you some pause.” Another resident, Jere Neill, shared his shock. “It’s scary and unexpected, because this area is so nice that I walk my dog around all the time late at night, and I don’t think anybody feels really unsafe walking around here,” he said.
Within two days of the shooting, the Atlanta Police Department announced an arrest in the case. On September 28, 2026, homicide investigators secured warrants for 26-year-old Alexander Kelly. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Fulton County Jail. Kelly was charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to the arrest warrants, Smith had been shot in the neck.
The arrest brought a swift, if partial, resolution to the community's immediate questions, but the motive behind the seemingly random act of violence remained unclear. The investigation continued as the case against Alexander Kelly began its journey through the justice system. As of late September 2026, the case was marked as in litigation, indicating that legal proceedings were underway. The family and friends of Rickie Smith were left to mourn a man taken from them suddenly and violently, remembering the laughter and light he brought into their lives while awaiting the final outcome of the court case.
