In the quiet community of Rocky Mount, Virginia, the life of 42-year-old Kevin Scott Smith was tragically cut short on the evening of May 14, 2015. A male resident of the town, Smith was found deceased in the yard of a home on Holley Drive, the victim of a fatal shooting. The incident, which drew attention to the devastating impact of gun violence, left his family and friends mourning the loss of a man they remembered for his shining soul and deep love for his daughter.
Responding to a
report of shots fired at approximately 8:08 p.m., deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office arrived at the residence to a grim scene. In the yard, they discovered Smith's body and encountered another man, Randall Neil Hodges, who was 48 years old at the time. Hodges, who was known to be a friend of Smith, was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Investigators also recovered a firearm from Hodges at the time of his arrest.
Following the initial investigation, Randall Neil Hodges of Ferrum, Virginia, was charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with Kevin Scott Smith's death. The case highlighted the tragic consequences that can arise from personal conflicts, leaving a lasting impact on the Rocky Mount community. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting was a focus for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office as they worked to piece together the events of that night.
