Tyree Joel Smith was a family man, a husband, and a father of five who was known and loved in his Clinton, North Carolina community. Born on June 14, 1988, the 38-year-old male is remembered for the connections he made and the laughter and support he offered to those around him. He leaves behind his wife, Jazmine Smith; his five children, Imani, TyAzia, SaMiyaa, TaNiyaa, and NyHeim; his mother, Naomi Smith; and a brother, Michael Smith.
His obituary noted that he left cherished memories for friends, family, and all who had the privilege of knowing him, and that those who knew him would carry his memory in their hearts.
In the first minutes of Sunday, September 27, 2026, a large outdoor party was underway on private property at 203 Shamrock Drive in Clinton. Some witnesses described the event as a cornhole tournament, while the police chief characterized it as a large party with an estimated 50 people, including family and friends. Shortly after 12:30 a.m., the gathering was shattered by the sound of gunfire. When Clinton Police Department officers arrived, they found most of the crowd had fled. Tyree Joel Smith, whose last known address was on West Butler Avenue, was discovered lying outside with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Tyree’s murder was immediately launched by Clinton Police detectives. They spent the day canvassing the Shamrock Drive area for clues and tracking down leads. The investigation was hampered by the fact that, according to Police Chief Adrian Mathews, 80 to 90 percent of the people present at the party had left before officers arrived. "It makes it extremely hard to investigate a case like this when most of the witnesses left before we arrived," Mathews stated in the days following the shooting. He emphasized that the shooting was believed to be an isolated incident and did not pose a threat to the wider community.
Despite the challenges, police received some tips from the public. Three days after the shooting, Chief Mathews announced that detectives had identified a person of interest they wished to locate and interview. He clarified that a person of interest could be a potential suspect or simply someone believed to have crucial information. The individual's name was not released to the public, and the police chief stressed that the investigation was active and ongoing. He expressed his gratitude for his officers' hard work and again urged the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small.
The community mourned the sudden loss of Tyree Smith. During his funeral service at Lisbon Street Missionary Baptist Church on October 10, 2026, speakers shared their grief and offered support to his bereaved family. One tribute, delivered on behalf of the staff and students at Clinton High School, was directed to his daughter Imani, acknowledging the profound impact of the loss on his children. "Please know that your loved one has made an impact on people his life touched," the speaker said, "family, his friends, his classmates, and his community." Another speaker at the service lamented the violence, stating, "This is a man's life that was taken for something that didn't have to happen."
As of late September 2026, the investigation into Tyree Joel Smith's homicide remains ongoing. No arrests or charges have been publicly announced. The Clinton Police Department continues to ask anyone with information to contact them at 910-592-3105. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by texting 847411 and beginning the message with "tipcpd."
