In the early morning hours of December 19, 2021, the life of 31-year-old Brandon M. Smith of South Bend, Indiana, was tragically cut short in a double homicide that also claimed the life of his 22-year-old girlfriend, ShaeLeigh Zeiger. The shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. near the intersection of Franklin Street and Ewing Avenue. South Bend police responded to reports of gunfire and discovered both Smith and Zeiger deceased at the scene from gunshot wounds.
Friends and family remembered Brandon as a compassionate, dependable, and loving man who would do anything to help others. His obituary stated he was killed while trying to protect someone he loved. He was a hardworking operating engineer apprentice with Local 150 and was known for his love of family, friends, his Harley, and Notre Dame football.
The investigation into the deaths of Brandon and ShaeLeigh has been a painful journey for their families. While police investigated the incident as a double homicide, the case presented complexities. In July 2022, the case was brought before a grand jury to determine if criminal charges were warranted. The central question revolved around whether the shootings were murders or justifiable homicides under Indiana's self-defense laws. The grand jury ultimately decided not to indict the shooter, concluding that no criminal charges were appropriate based on the evidence presented, which suggested the shooter may have acted in fear of serious bodily injury or death.
Despite the grand jury's decision, the case has not been officially closed. The South Bend Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit has continued to seek out witnesses and additional evidence in an effort to bring a sense of closure to the grieving families. Brandon's mother, Belinda Holcomb, has been a vocal advocate for justice for her son, expressing the profound and ongoing pain of her loss. The family and community members have made public pleas for anyone with information about the events of that night to come forward. At the time of the initial investigation, no suspects were taken into custody, and the incident was described by police as isolated and not a threat to the general public. The families of both victims continue to await answers and justice in the wake of this devastating loss.
