In the early morning hours of August 15, 2021, a dispute in a fast-food drive-thru in Minneapolis tragically escalated, ending the life of 32-year-old Tuquan L. Smith. A Black male from Woodbury, Minnesota, Smith was in his vehicle at the White Castle on West Lake Street shortly before 2 a.m. when the fatal encounter occurred. An argument broke out after the driver of a Jeep in the drive-thru was asked to move to allow other vehicles to exit.
Following the exchange of words, an
individual in the back of the Jeep fired multiple shots, striking Smith. His vehicle then rolled forward, jumped the curb, and came to a stop across the street at the intersection of Blaisdell Avenue and West Lake Street. Despite the immediate response of emergency services, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds to the chest.
The investigation into the shooting led police to a residence on the 3200 block of South 3rd Avenue later that same day, where they located the suspect vehicle. A 28-year-old woman from Minneapolis was arrested at the home on suspicion of aiding and abetting murder. Surveillance footage from the scene played a crucial role in the investigation.
Ultimately, Lionell Hicks, a 32-year-old man from West St. Paul who was on parole at the time, was identified as the shooter. In November 2023, Hicks pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in Smith's death. He agreed to a prison sentence of nearly 39 years for the crime.
