On May 17, 2021, Deschene 'D-Street' Darrell, a 28-year-old resident of Church Rock, New Mexico, was tragically shot and killed. The incident occurred at a residence in Church Rock, where Darrell was fatally wounded by a gunshot. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations, initiated an investigation into the incident. The authorities sought public assistance to identify the individual responsible for the crime. The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office appealed to the community for information that could aid in the investigation.
Approximately three months after the incident, Josiah Alan Smith, a 30-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Smith Lake, New Mexico, was arrested in connection with the murder. Smith was charged with the fatal shooting of Darrell. According to court documents, on the day of the incident, Smith arrived at the residence in Church Rock armed with a rifle and made threats against Darrell. He briefly left the premises but returned with a revolver and fired two shots through a bedroom window, striking Darrell in the back. The bullet pierced his heart and both lungs, leading to his death despite lifesaving attempts by a witness. After the shooting, Smith fled the scene and attempted to conceal evidence by disposing of the murder weapon.
In November 2024, Smith was sentenced to 11 years and 4 months in federal prison for the murder of Darrell. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Smith will be subject to five years of supervised release.
The tragic death of Deschene 'D-Street' Darrell highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing violence within communities and underscores the importance of law enforcement efforts in bringing perpetrators to justice.
