In September of 2018, Arnell Davis, a 40-year-old man, was fatally shot while his vehicle was stopped in traffic on North High School Road, near West 38th Street in Indianapolis. At the time of the shooting, Davis was on the phone with his fiancée, who tragically heard the events unfold. In his final moments, Davis was able to name his assailant, telling his fiancée that a man named 'Keith' had shot him.
The investigation into the murder of Arnell Davis led police to Keith Smith.
Surveillance footage from the area of the shooting showed a Dodge Ram truck pull up alongside Davis's vehicle before the shots were fired. This same truck was later discovered parked at the home of Smith's girlfriend. A search of the vehicle uncovered fired cartridge casings that matched those found at the crime scene. Further investigation revealed a paper towel in the truck, used to wipe it down, which contained Smith's DNA. Cell phone records also placed Smith in the vicinity of the shooting at the time it occurred. Davis's fiancée informed investigators that Smith had a $10,000 contract to kill her fiancé.
Keith Smith was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder of Arnell Davis. In August 2021, a jury found Smith guilty of the crime. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder.
