On a Thursday afternoon in Decatur, Alabama, on June 10, 2021, Frankie Roland Smith Jr., a 62-year-old White Caucasian male, was fatally shot. The incident that claimed his life unfolded at approximately 1:40 p.m. at 3023 Highway 31 South. When Decatur Police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Smith with a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
Smith was a well-known figure in the community as the owner and operator of Decatur Door Service, a business he had managed for more than 35 years. Beyond his professional life, he was known for his passion for playing the guitar and riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and he was deeply devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren.
In the wake of the shooting, investigators identified Spencer Newton Harwell, who was 44 years old at the time, as the primary suspect. Harwell was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. He was booked into the Morgan County Correctional Facility, and his bond was set at $150,000. Law enforcement officials characterized the shooting as an isolated event. The case has been proceeding through the legal system, and in November 2024, Harwell appeared in court for a 'stand-your-ground' hearing. During this hearing, his defense argued that he acted in self-defense, believing his life was in jeopardy during an altercation with Smith. The court is still deliberating on whether Harwell's use of deadly force was justified under Alabama law.
