On July 2, 2020, a young Black man, 25-year-old Curtis Rashad Smothers Jr., lost his life in a shooting in Dubuque, Iowa. The incident, which cut short the life of the father of one, unfolded in the 400 block of Loras Boulevard shortly before 6 p.m. Smothers, a resident of Dubuque who had moved to the city with his mother after the eighth grade, was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School.
He was engaged to be married and was remembered for his love of basketball, weightlifting, and music.
The events that led to Smothers' death began with a verbal argument that escalated into a physical fight. During this altercation, another 25-year-old Dubuque resident, Deonte WB Ellison, drew a handgun and shot Smothers in the chest. Emergency services transported Smothers to MercyOne Dubuque, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Investigators were able to piece together the sequence of events with the help of the city's traffic camera footage.
Following the shooting, the Dubuque Police Department identified Ellison as the suspect and issued warrants for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm as a felon. A significant cash bond was set for his release. Authorities warned the public that Ellison should be considered dangerous and not approached. His apprehension occurred sometime later when he was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Michigan.
The legal proceedings against Ellison concluded with a conviction, though not on the initial charge of first-degree murder. Instead, he was found guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. The tragic incident left a lasting impact on the community and, most profoundly, on the family and friends of Curtis Rashad Smothers, who was remembered as a loving father, fiancé, son, and brother.
