In a tragic case of domestic violence in Tennessee, 23-year-old J. Smith was fatally shot by her boyfriend, 27-year-old D. Mitchell, just two months into their relationship. Mitchell, who had previously threatened to kill Smith and her children, now faces a second-degree murder charge after claiming he mistook Smith for someone else.
The shooting occurred early in the morning on May 23, leaving Smith’s family devastated and questioning how the justice system failed to protect her.
The Tragic Shooting
The shooting took place outside Mitchell’s second-floor apartment, where police found Smith lying outside the door with a single gunshot wound to her head.
Inside the apartment, investigators found a spent shotgun shell, and Mitchell was nowhere to be found. Later that day, Mitchell turned himself in to the police and agreed to speak with investigators.
During his interview, Mitchell waived his Miranda rights and offered a chilling account of the incident. According to the arrest affidavit, Mitchell claimed he awoke to voices outside his door, including what he described as a man and a woman speaking. Fearing danger, he allegedly armed himself with a shotgun and opened the door.
In the heat of the moment, Mitchell said he fired a shot at what he believed was a man, not realizing that it was Smith standing outside. After firing the shot, Mitchell fled the scene, leaving Smith critically wounded.
The Discovery and Smith’s Family’s Pain
Smith’s brother discovered her lifeless body while heading to work and immediately alerted authorities. Tragically, Smith had been left on the doorstep after being shot by someone she had recently begun dating.
It was later revealed that Mitchell had previously threatened to kill Smith and her three young children, aged 1, 3, and 6, raising concerns about the safety of Smith and her family long before the tragic shooting occurred.
Smith’s father expressed deep pain and anger following his daughter’s death, revealing that he was unaware she had been dating Mitchell.
He also criticized the justice system for failing to protect his daughter, pointing out that Mitchell had violated bond conditions from previous domestic violence charges.
Smith’s father voiced his heartbreak, stating that if the justice system had intervened earlier, his daughter might still be alive.
Mitchell’s Criminal History
This wasn’t Mitchell’s first brush with domestic violence. Court records show that Mitchell had prior domestic violence charges dating back to 2019, involving other women.
He had also been previously charged with violating bond conditions related to those past charges, but had remained free until the shooting incident. This raises further questions about why he was not in jail and how he was able to continue a relationship with Smith despite his violent history.
Aftermath and Custody of the Children
Following Smith’s death, her three young children have been placed in the custody of their maternal grandfather. The loss of their mother has left the family reeling, and they are now seeking justice for Smith, whose life was cut short by someone she once trusted.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger, as Smith’s family grapples with the senseless loss of a young mother.
Mitchell is currently being held at the county jail on a $760,000 bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for June 9. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and the case has drawn attention to the dangers of domestic violence and the failure of the justice system to intervene before it was too late.