In the early evening of a Saturday in Meriden, Connecticut, the life of 38-year-old Black man Dante Bobby Smith was tragically cut short. On April 10, 2021, Smith was brought to the Midstate Medical Hospital around 6:00 p.m. with a gunshot wound. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community and his family to grapple with the sudden loss.
The initial hours of the investigation were met with a plea from the Meriden Police Department for any information from the public that could shed light on the circumstances of the shooting.
The investigation into Dante Smith's death quickly focused on a prime suspect: his own brother, Anthony Smith. Within a few days, the case took a familial and tragic turn. During an interview with detectives, Anthony Smith was cooperative and admitted to his involvement in the shooting. He claimed that he had accidentally shot his brother with a rifle. This confession led to his arrest on Tuesday, April 14, 2021. The shooting was reported to have occurred on West Main Street.
Anthony Smith, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, was taken into custody. A search of his residence uncovered rifle ammunition and a pistol. He was held on a $500,000 bond and faced several serious charges, including second-degree manslaughter with a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, and tampering with evidence. Police indicated that the investigation would remain ongoing and that additional charges were anticipated in the case.
