On the night of April 5, 2019, a normal evening at Phat Tuesday Sports Bar in Mobile, Alabama, turned tragic, ending the life of 42-year-old Tito Smith, a Black male. The initial confusion surrounding the violent altercation that led to his death was quickly clarified by law enforcement, who determined that Smith had been fatally shot inside the establishment.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m., prompted an immediate and thorough investigation by the Mobile Police Department.
Detectives worked diligently, speaking with witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, which eventually pointed them toward a suspect. The investigation suggested that the shooting may have stemmed from an ongoing dispute. Less than two weeks after the shooting, the Mobile Police Department publicly identified 34-year-old Demetrius James Anderson, also known as 'Dirk,' as the suspect and announced that a murder warrant had been issued for his arrest. Authorities released a physical description of Anderson, noting distinctive tattoos, and cautioned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The search for Anderson extended beyond Alabama, as investigators believed he might have fled to the Atlanta area due to his criminal ties there. This belief proved to be accurate when, on July 24, 2019, U.S. Marshals captured Anderson at a residence in Decatur, Georgia. Following his apprehension, Anderson was extradited to Mobile, where he was arrested and booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail on November 4, 2020.
In the ensuing legal process, Demetrius James Anderson faced trial for his role in the death of Tito Smith. He was ultimately convicted of murder. Following his conviction, Anderson sought to have the verdict overturned, taking his case through the appellate courts. His appeal to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals was overruled in September 2024. He then petitioned the Alabama Supreme Court, but his writ of certiorari was denied in October 2024, effectively upholding the lower courts' decisions and solidifying his conviction.
