On the evening of November 17, 2021, the life of Randall Smith, a 42-year-old Black/African American man, was tragically cut short in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A father of two, entrepreneur, and civil rights activist, Smith was a beloved community figure known for his work as the manager of All Square, a grilled-cheese restaurant that is part of a social justice nonprofit aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals.
He was not just an employee but a graduate of the organization's fellowship program and a co-founder of the All Square Fellow Fund, which provides capital to formerly incarcerated leaders. Friends and colleagues described him as a profound human being and a dependable leader who had overcome many hardships in his own life.
The fatal encounter occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. near U.S. Bank Stadium, at the intersection of 7th Street South and 13th Avenue South. Smith was in his vehicle when he was involved in what police have described as a traffic-related incident. A pickup truck pulled up parallel to his car, and an unidentified assailant inside the truck fired multiple shots. Smith was struck by the gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter fled immediately after the attack.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an extensive investigation. Initially, witnesses reported seeing a dark SUV speeding away from the area. However, a year after the incident, authorities released surveillance images of a suspect vehicle, identified as a black pickup truck, possibly a Dodge Ram. Video evidence showed the shots being fired from within this truck. Despite these efforts and public appeals for information, no suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with Randall Smith's murder. The case remains unsolved, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a man who was dedicated to creating opportunities for others.
