On a December evening in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, 51-year-old Floyd Wilson was fatally shot. The incident occurred on December 6, 2024, near the intersection of 2nd Street and Broadway Avenue. First responders found Wilson with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. At the time of the shooting, Wilson was in his wheelchair.
The investigation into the shooting led Allegheny County Police to identify a suspect through surveillance
video that captured a distinctive light-colored Mercury Mariner near the scene. The vehicle was seen passing the intersection three times before the shooting. After seizing the vehicle, police determined it belonged to Thomas Laron Smith, 44, of Stowe. Inside the SUV's glove box, investigators found a pistol that had been reported stolen. Ballistic testing later confirmed this was the weapon used in the shooting.
Witnesses reported seeing the occupants of an SUV arguing with Wilson before hearing four or five gunshots and a man shouting, 'I'm shot.” When questioned by police, Smith initially claimed he couldn't remember the night of the incident but later admitted his involvement after being shown a still photo from security footage placing his vehicle at the scene. Smith confessed to shooting Wilson, stating that an argument had broken out between his passenger and Wilson. He claimed that when Wilson began to stand up from his wheelchair, he started firing from the driver's seat.
Thomas Laron Smith was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, receiving stolen property, and firearms violations. He was held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail. Court records show that Smith has a criminal history dating back over 25 years, including convictions for aggravated assault and resisting arrest. He was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
