In the early morning hours of June 12, 2023, a dispute at a bar in Oklahoma City tragically escalated, ending the life of 31-year-old Justin Smith. A White male, Smith was at the Aloha Backyard bar located in the 3100 block of S. Bryant Avenue when an argument broke out between him and another individual. The altercation moved outside, where the disagreement turned violent, and Smith was fatally shot.
When officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department arrived at the scene around 3:30 a.m., they found Smith deceased from a gunshot wound.
The man involved in the argument with Smith, identified as 21-year-old Johnathon Thomas, remained at the location after the shooting. Thomas, who is also a White male, was interviewed by police and subsequently arrested. He was later booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on a complaint of first-degree murder and was initially held without bond.
Justin Ray Allen Smith, born on December 19, 1991, was a father to two daughters, Leah and Kinsley. His family remembers him as a man who loved spending time with his loved ones, especially during the holidays. He had a passion for fitness, particularly CrossFit, and enjoyed playing on a softball team. An obituary described him as having a legacy that will be continued by his children, siblings, and other family members.
The legal proceedings against Johnathon Thomas saw a development over a year after the incident. In October 2024, Thomas was released on a reduced bond, a decision that caused considerable distress and outrage among Justin Smith's family and loved ones. The case continues to move through the justice system, leaving a lasting impact on those affected by the sudden and violent loss of Justin Smith.
