In the small town of Ripley, Oklahoma, the life of 45-year-old Mario Smith Sr. came to a violent end in April of 2016. A man with a known criminal history, including arrests for drugs and assault, Smith was found deceased in his home on April 21st, the victim of a fatal gunshot wound to the head. His death would unravel a story of alleged abuse and a startling suspect.
The investigation into Smith's death quickly led law enforcement to a surprising individual: a 14-year-old girl named
Makayla Dawn Brown. Brown was the daughter of Smith's girlfriend, and was present at his home on the night of the incident. According to witness statements, the teenager shot Smith with his own firearm.
The motive behind the killing appeared to be rooted in a volatile domestic situation. It was alleged that just a month prior to his death, Smith had pistol-whipped Brown's mother. Witnesses claimed that on the night of the shooting, Brown took action after witnessing this abuse. One account suggested she was laughing and bragging about the killing to another individual after the fact.
Makayla Dawn Brown was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder as an adult. The case highlighted a complex and tragic situation involving domestic violence and a young person's alleged response to it, leaving the community of Ripley to grapple with the shocking turn of events. Smith himself had legal troubles looming at the time of his death, having failed to appear in court just a day prior for felony charges related to methamphetamine trafficking.
