Courtney A. Smith was a proud mother of three sons, Jeht, Liam, and Kole, who friends said were her absolute priority. The 30-year-old White female from Leechburg, Pennsylvania, was remembered as an amazing, kind, and outgoing person who would do anything for anyone. A member of the United Steelworkers Local 9445, she was a hardworking employee at Tri-Arc Manufacturing in Blawnox, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and was described by a friend as a sweet soul who could light up a room with her huge personality.
On the morning of Tuesday, March 19, 2024, a domestic dispute at the manufacturing plant turned deadly. Shortly before 6:30 a.m., Courtney was confronted by Sean Black, the 42-year-old father of her children. The couple had been in a relationship for several years and worked together, but they had recently separated, and Courtney had begun a new relationship with a 26-year-old coworker.
A supervisor witnessed Courtney and Black wrestling before Black allegedly pulled out a handgun. A witness reported hearing Courtney plead, "Sean, no, no," before Black shot her multiple times in the chest. He then allegedly fired at her new partner, striking him multiple times in the torso and limbs.
Police from Blawnox and O'Hara Township responded to 911 calls about an active shooter. When they arrived, officers found Black kneeling over Courtney with two guns nearby. He was taken into custody without further incident. Courtney Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, while her wounded coworker was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Sean Black was arrested and charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office initially announced its intention to seek the death penalty, citing several aggravating circumstances. However, prosecutors reversed this decision in October 2024, stating that Courtney’s family opposed capital punishment out of concern for the well-being of her children.
Instead of proceeding to a trial, Sean Black pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for the killing of Courtney Smith and to attempted homicide for shooting her boyfriend. He was sentenced to a total of 30 to 60 years in prison, which included 20 to 40 years for the murder and an additional 10 to 20 years for the attempted homicide. At his sentencing, Black read from a handwritten statement, saying, "I go to serve my time expecting no sorrow, no sympathy from those I've affected. But I am truly sorry."
