On the evening of December 15, 2021, Marquese Quinton Smith, a 27-year-old male, was fatally shot in Detroit, Michigan. He was with his lifelong friend, Teron William Flowers, who was also killed in the attack. The two had been friends since high school, sharing a bond over football and video games.
Earlier that day, Smith had been contemplating a significant life change and had sought the support of Flowers. The friends were at the Martin Luther King Jr.
apartment complex where Smith had been collecting his belongings from a turbulent relationship. They decided to walk to a nearby store.
Reports suggest that an altercation occurred at a convenience store on Shea near Larned. As Smith and Flowers were leaving the store, they noticed a white Dodge Charger began to follow them. Realizing the danger, they started running towards the Martin Luther King Jr. apartment complex, but the car pursued them. The occupants of the vehicle opened fire on them in what appeared to be a setup or ambush.
The shooting took place around 6:30 p.m. in the vicinity of lots 7 and 8 of the apartment complex. Marquese Smith was shot and died at the scene. Teron Flowers continued to run but was also shot and collapsed about half a block away on St. Aubin.
As of now, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. The families of both men have made public pleas for any information that could lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for their murders. Law enforcement has been investigating the homicides, with the Detroit Police Department's Homicide unit handling the case. A reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in connection with the killings.
