In the early hours of August 19, 2017, the life of 20-year-old Spencer Michal 'Penny' Smith was tragically cut short in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A male, Spencer was discovered outside the East Central Towers apartments in the 900 block of East Washington Boulevard with apparent gunshot wounds. The Fort Wayne Police Department had responded to a report of shots fired at approximately 1:16 a.m.
Upon their arrival, officers found Spencer, who was then transported to a local hospital in serious condition, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy later confirmed that his death was a result of a gunshot wound or wounds, and the case was officially ruled a homicide, marking the 22nd in Allen County for that year.
On the night of the incident, Spencer was reportedly at the apartment complex to babysit for a friend. Surveillance footage captured him leaving the building around 12:35 a.m., shortly before the police were called to the scene. His death was the third homicide to occur at the same apartment complex in a three-month period, although police stated they did not believe the recent homicides were gang-related.
Despite the ongoing investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, no arrests have been made in connection with Spencer Smith's murder, and the case remains unsolved. This lack of resolution has been a source of immense frustration and pain for his family. In their relentless pursuit of justice, his family has actively sought to keep his memory alive and encourage potential witnesses to come forward. Spencer's aunt, Amy Davis, was instrumental in forming a local advocacy group, Justice, Accountability, & Victims Advocacy to support victims like her nephew. The family has questioned why surveillance images from the building have not been publicly released, believing it might generate new leads. Years after his death, Spencer's loved ones continue to hold memorials and actively seek answers, determined to find out who was responsible for his death.
