Chris Smith, 26, was fatally shot on the night of Friday, July 15, 2016, at the Frank Berry Courts apartments on 42nd Avenue in Meridian, Mississippi. A former standout wide receiver for Meridian High School and Mississippi State University, Smith was remembered locally for his athletic achievements and his degree from Mississippi State.

Meridian police identified 25-year-old Tirale Reed as a person of interest and later took him into custody. Reed, described as 5 feet 5 inches and 150 pounds with tattoos, was charged with murder, felony possession of a firearm, and shooting into an occupied dwelling. Bond at his initial court appearance was set at a combined $255,000. Prosecutors said Reed confessed on video; eyewitnesses reportedly said Smith had his hands in the air while also having a gun in his waistband that he had not drawn. Reed’s attorney raised self-defense.

The motive remained under investigation. Does anyone in Meridian have information about that night or knew Chris Smith that could help clarify what happened?