In the early hours of a summer morning in Indianapolis, Indiana, the life of 18-year-old Dantez Smith was cut short by gunfire. On June 22, 2019, just after 3 a.m., officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the 8100 block of Siear Terrace on the city's south side after reports of shots fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered Dantez, a Black male, lying in the street with a gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Earlier that evening, Dantez had been at a party near the University of Indianapolis campus. It is believed that while at the party, he had a tense encounter with an individual, leading to a confrontation. The nature of their dispute is thought to have stemmed from a prior incident. Following this altercation, as Dantez was in the parking lot, a vehicle with multiple occupants drove by. Shots were fired from the passenger side of the car, striking and fatally wounding the teenager.
In the years following the shooting, the investigation into Dantez Smith's death has remained ongoing, yet no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named. The case officially remains unsolved. However, IMPD Homicide Detective David Miller has stated that he is confident he has interviewed the person responsible for Dantez's murder. According to the detective, the story provided by this individual does not align with the evidence gathered during the investigation. This person of interest has reportedly been in and out of jail on unrelated charges since the time of the shooting.
Dantez was remembered by his family and friends as a loving son, brother, and friend who had dreams of becoming a football player and a passion for basketball, laughter, and dancing. His mother recalled a conversation with him just two days before his death, sensing that something was troubling him, though he did not want to discuss it at the time. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department continues to urge anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward as they seek to bring justice to Dantez and his family.
