On the night of November 11, 2020, in Burlington, Iowa, 24-year-old Caucasian female Riley Smith was fatally shot in her home. Police responded to reports of gunfire and discovered her deceased at the scene. A 26-year-old man, who was also at the residence, was found with injuries and transported to a nearby hospital. The initial investigation into the shooting was a collaborative effort between local law enforcement and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
In the days following
the incident, the injured man was identified as Kevin Lee. After being treated for his injuries, Lee was arrested on November 14, 2020, and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Riley Smith's death. It was later revealed that Smith and Lee were in a relationship, and the incident was an act of domestic violence. Lee was subsequently held at the Des Moines County Correctional Center without bond, awaiting his court appearance.
During his trial, prosecutors presented evidence that contradicted Lee's claim that intruders were responsible for the shooting. Witnesses, including a neighbor, testified to hearing gunshots at different intervals. The neighbor also recounted a panicked, naked Lee appearing at her door, claiming both he and his girlfriend had been shot by intruders. When law enforcement arrived, they found Lee to be aggressive and erratic inside the home with Smith. Evidence presented at trial indicated that the firearm used in the shooting belonged to Riley Smith and was found at the scene. Lee was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with a dangerous weapon. The court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Lee later appealed his conviction, but the decision of the lower court was affirmed.
