In the quiet town of Larned, Kansas, the life of 44-year-old Shala Michelle Smith was tragically cut short on January 8, 2022. A longtime resident of the area and a dedicated Corrections Counselor II at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, Shala was known as a loving mother and grandmother who cherished her family above all else.
The devastating events unfolded in the early morning hours at her home on Park Street.
In an act of domestic violence, Shala and her 12-year-old son, Carver, were fatally shot by her estranged husband, 44-year-old Jon B. Smith. After killing his wife and son, Jon Smith then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life.
The discovery was made later that evening when a concerned individual went to check on the family and found the three deceased inside the residence. Law enforcement and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were called to the scene, and the subsequent investigation confirmed the incident as a double homicide-suicide. Autopsies confirmed that Shala and Carver's deaths were homicides, while Jon Smith's death was ruled a suicide. Due to the suspect also being deceased, no arrests were made in connection with the deaths. The community was left to mourn the profound loss of a mother and her young son.
