Terrell Smith

Terrell Smith, a 46-year-old Black man from Ypsilanti, Michigan, was a local personality known for his popular and often comedic Facebook Live broadcasts. Under the name "Rells Corner," he shared his "brutally honest" commentary with thousands of followers. Friends and family remembered him for his love and support of his community, as well as for the food he often cooked and gave away. His mother, Genniece Smith, described him as a comedian who loved to make people laugh.

On the morning of June 28, 2022, a digital dispute turned deadly on the 1000 block of Nash Avenue, where Smith was streaming live from a chair outside his home. During the broadcast, he got into a heated argument with commenters while expressing his loyalty to Ypsilanti. The exchange escalated, and threats were allegedly made. Smith acknowledged the tension to his viewers, quoting a commenter: "Now y'all on Facebook, 'I'm riding around with 60 shots.'" Minutes later, a vehicle approached his house. "OK, we've got action," Smith said on the stream, just before a volley of more than 30 gunshots erupted. The shooting itself was not visible on camera, but the audio captured the violent attack. First responders found Smith with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The investigation by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests of five individuals, all reportedly members of one family who knew Smith. Authorities charged Jermia Castion, 25; Martita Bonner, 41; Sharif Bonner, 24; Tyree Pitts, 18; and Andre Walker, 26, with open murder and conspiracy to commit homicide. A fifth suspect, 19-year-old Coreyon Brown, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in November 2022.

During preliminary court proceedings, investigators revealed that Sharif Bonner had been the individual arguing with Smith online. Two of the defendants, Martita Bonner and Jermia Castion, accepted plea deals for the reduced charge of accessory to murder after the fact in exchange for their testimony. Martita Bonner testified that she drove one of three cars that went to Smith's home and that her nephew, Sharif, had retrieved a gun before the confrontation. The prosecution identified Sharif Bonner, Tyree Pitts, and Coreyon Brown as the shooters. In October 2022, a judge determined there was enough evidence for Sharif Bonner and Tyree Pitts to stand trial for open murder.

However, the cases did not proceed to trial. In 2023, all the defendants charged in Terrell Smith’s death entered into plea agreements. The case concluded in late 2023, when Washtenaw County Trial Judge Carol Kuhnke sentenced the defendants to prison terms and probation. Among them, Sharif Bonner received a sentence for his role in the fatal shooting.