In the early morning hours of July 7, 2022, the body of 18-year-old DaMarion Kentrell Benjamin was discovered by Kansas City police near East 51st Street and Lawn Avenue. Benjamin was found partially in the grass and the street, having sustained apparent gunshot wounds to his head and body. Investigators located spent shell casings in the vicinity of the body, leading them to quickly classify his death as a homicide.
The investigation into Benjamin's death progressed rapidly as
detectives examined his recent phone activity. They discovered that the last number he had been in contact with, at 1:26 a.m. that day, was linked to an individual associated with 25-year-old Malijahjuan M. Smith of Independence, Missouri. When initially questioned, Smith denied any knowledge of Benjamin's death. However, he later admitted his involvement in the fatal shooting, stating that it occurred outside of a parked vehicle.
Further details emerged, suggesting a planned criminal activity that went awry. It was revealed that Benjamin had sent a text message to his girlfriend earlier, indicating an intention to confront the individuals responsible for his brother's death. It is alleged that Benjamin and Smith had made plans to buy a stolen car and use a fraudulent license plate to commit a crime. On the day of the shooting, they had driven to an apartment complex to retrieve the vehicle. When they were unable to locate the car, Benjamin reportedly instructed Smith to pull over. According to Smith's account, as he was checking the license plate, Benjamin moved into the passenger seat and brandished a gun, which prompted Smith to shoot him.
Following the investigation, Malijahjuan M. Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with DaMarion Benjamin's death. Prosecutors in Jackson County requested a cash bond of $150,000 as the legal proceedings against Smith commenced.
