In the fall of 2020, the life of 17-year-old Zander Anthony Smith was tragically cut short in Burton, Michigan. A student at Bentley High School, Zander was known for his love of sports, particularly football and basketball.
On the evening of Saturday, October 24, 2020, what may have started as a gathering of friends took a devastating turn. Zander was involved in a game of Russian roulette, a perilous act that ended in his death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at Hurley Medical Center.
The Burton Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. It was determined that three of Zander's friends were present and participated in the deadly game, knowing the revolver contained a live round. Following the investigation, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced that the three teenagers would face charges of involuntary manslaughter for their roles in the events that led to Zander's death. The case drew significant attention, prompting an outcry for justice from Zander's grieving family and the wider community.
