In the early morning hours of August 31, 2017, the city of Reno, Nevada, was rattled by a discovery that would set in motion a lengthy investigation. Vidal Smith, a 26-year-old Black / African American man, was found lying in the roadway at the intersection of 1st Street and Roff Way. When officers arrived at approximately 2:00 a.m., it was apparent that Smith was deceased, having sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound.
The initial discovery offered few clues, leaving investigators to piece together the events that led to this tragic end.
The case gained momentum when authorities identified a suspect in the homicide. Dontay Sevier, who was 27 years old at the time, became the focus of the investigation. In September 2017, U.S. Marshals located and arrested Sevier in Tempe, Arizona, on a warrant related to Smith's death. This arrest marked a significant breakthrough in the case, offering a glimmer of hope for those seeking justice for Vidal Smith. The community was left to grapple with the senseless violence that had claimed the life of a young man known and loved by many.
Following his arrest, the legal process began to unfold. In February 2018, Dontay Sevier was extradited from Arizona and booked into the Washoe County Jail. He was transported back to Nevada to face the charge of open murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Vidal Smith. His first court appearance was scheduled for February 21, 2018, initiating the next chapter in a story that began with a grim discovery on a Reno street.
