VaShaun Tremaine Smith Jr., an 18-year-old senior at Hertford County High School, was shot and killed outside his home on Quail Ridge Lane in Ahoskie, North Carolina, on February 26, 2021. Known as Boodie, VaShaun was a National BETA Club and FBLA member, a Career & College Promise Certified Nursing Assistant student, and a drummer at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. He had been accepted to North Carolina A&T State University and hoped to play college football.

According to reports, the shooting followed an altercation that began after VaShaun and his girlfriend were followed from a Walgreens in Ahoskie into Bertie County and back into Hertford County. A physical confrontation at VaShaun’s residence involved the other man assaulting VaShaun and his mother before a handgun was produced and VaShaun was shot; he was pronounced dead at Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. The shooter surrendered at the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and a handgun was recovered as evidence. The motive was under investigation at the time.

VaShaun’s family and community mourned the loss of a student described as talented and community-minded. If anyone has information about the events of February 26, 2021, or knew VaShaun, please come forward with what you know.