On a tragic Friday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 29, 2022, a young Black / African American man named Mario Ronrico Smith, aged 23, lost his life in a burst of gunfire. The incident, which marked the city's 31st homicide of the year, unfolded near the intersection of 33rd Avenue North and James Avenue North at approximately 4:40 p.m.
It was a violent end to a day that became one of three fatal shootings within a 24-hour period in the city.
Reports from the scene suggest a chaotic sequence of events, with a possible exchange of gunfire. In the immediate aftermath, vehicles were seen speeding away from the area. Smith, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds, reportedly fled a short distance before collapsing in the street. Emergency services responded, and he was rushed to North Memorial Health Hospital in nearby Robbinsdale. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Mario Ronrico Smith was pronounced dead at 7:02 p.m. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that the cause of his death was multiple gunshot wounds and officially ruled it a homicide.
In the wake of the shooting, the Minneapolis Police Department launched an investigation into the death of Mario Ronrico Smith. However, the case has proven to be a difficult one to solve. As of the latest available updates, no suspects have been publicly identified or taken into custody in connection with his killing. The investigation remains open and active, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward and contact CrimeStoppers. The community continues to await answers and justice for the young life that was cut short on that spring day.
