On July 20, 2023, Antonio J. Smith, a 33-year-old resident of Pahokee, Florida, was fatally shot in his apartment. The incident occurred when an armed burglar, identified as 23-year-old Antrone McCants, knocked on the door of Smith's apartment off West Third Street. McCants, who was wearing red shorts, a black and grey jacket, and no shoes, demanded money from Smith and his female companion.
When Smith and the woman told McCants to leave, he forced his way into the apartment. Inside, McCants shot Smith multiple times in the back bedroom, hitting him once. The woman attempted to defend herself by striking McCants in the head with a candle holder. McCants then aimed his firearm at the woman, pulling the trigger twice, but the gun did not fire. Following this, McCants fled the scene.
Smith was transported to St. Mary's Hospital by Trauma Hawk but succumbed to his gunshot wound approximately two hours later. The unidentified woman, who had previous verbal arguments with McCants and knew his family lived across the street, provided crucial information to the authorities.
McCants was arrested by the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) after his location was provided by his family members. He was taken into custody off Ricky Jackson Boulevard and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and armed burglary. During his arrest, McCants declined to speak to the authorities.
The incident was witnessed by an unidentified man who claimed to be McCants' uncle and reported seeing his nephew demanding $20 from a woman before forcing his way into Smith's apartment, followed by multiple gunshots. This witness statement corroborated the account given by the female victim.
