Diaunte Smith, a 30-year-old man, was fatally shot on May 23, 2023, in the Goulds area of southwest Miami-Dade, Florida. The incident occurred late Tuesday night at the Arthur Mays Villas residential community on Southwest 115th Court near 222nd Street. Miami-Dade police responded to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter alert at 11:17 p.m.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Relatives believe that the shooting was possibly in retaliation for another shooting that occurred last September in the same area. In that earlier case, Smith was accused of shooting a man following a physical altercation and was subsequently arrested on May 8 on charges of third-degree attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm in public. He had been released from jail a few weeks prior to his death after posting bond.
Relatives, including Smith’s mother-in-law, Asia Rouxxpann, expressed their belief that the shooting was an act of revenge. Rouxxpann described Smith as a good person who was trying to straighten out his life and mentioned that he was a father to a 7-year-old girl. The shooter allegedly chased Smith between homes before shooting and killing him.
As of the report, there was no description of the shooter released, and the investigation was ongoing. The community and family are seeking justice, with anyone having information about the shooting encouraged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. Smith’s body was later removed from the scene by the medical examiner, highlighting the tragic loss of a young life in a cycle of violence.
