Nathan T. Smith, a 27-year-old White man, was killed the night of July 14, 2021, after gunfire broke out in the Knollwood community of Claymont, Delaware. New Castle County police were called about 9:40 p.m. to Balfour Avenue for a reported shooting; several people were wounded and given emergency aid. Smith and 16-year-old Jasir Brown were taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. A 19-year-old woman was treated for an arm wound and released; another victim was hospitalized in serious condition.

Prosecutors later described the incident as a robbery attempt that escalated into an exchange of gunfire. Authorities say Israel Lecompte and others allegedly had carjacked a Chevrolet Impala in Chester, Pennsylvania, then traveled through Wilmington before arriving in Claymont; prosecutors alleged the group intended to rob Smith, who was armed. Lecompte was charged in the case and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, assault, attempted robbery, and a weapons charge; at sentencing the court heard victims family statements and was told Lecompte had been shot during the incident. Smith’s mother, sister, and his girlfriend addressed the court about the pain caused by his death.

Did anyone in the Knollwood area see activity on Balfour Avenue that night or know Nathan’s movements leading up to July 14?