Cordell Smart, a 19-year-old resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, tragically lost his life on May 20, 2019. Smart was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire during a drug deal gone wrong. The incident occurred when a group of individuals, including Smart, were involved in an arranged drug transaction that escalated into a deadly shootout.
Smart was at the scene to drop off his dog when the gunfire erupted, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office arrested seven individuals in connection with Smart's death. The suspects included Gaige Monfils, Daniel Heath, Sterlin Burns, Keanu Askew, Shatavia Foreman, Craig Rudolph, and Brenden Scarver. The investigation revealed that Monfils had contacted Heath and Burns after being robbed earlier in the day. In retaliation, Heath, Monfils, and Askew armed themselves with handguns and a rifle and arranged a drug deal with Rudolph. When Rudolph, Foreman, and Scarver arrived for the transaction, gunfire was exchanged between the two groups. Smart, who was standing outside the residence, was struck by a bullet and killed.
All seven suspects were initially charged with third-degree murder, a second-degree felony, as they were involved in the narcotics transaction that led to Smart's death. The case was complex, with the State Attorney's Office working to determine who fired the fatal shot. Monfils, who was a childhood friend of Smart, eventually pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of accessory after the fact to aggravated assault. He was sentenced to serve 11 months and 29 days in jail, followed by two years of probation. The other defendants also faced various charges and legal proceedings related to the incident.
The tragic death of Cordell Smart highlights the dangers of illegal drug activities and the devastating impact they can have on innocent lives. The legal proceedings and investigations that followed aimed to bring justice to Smart's family and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
