Hayden Smith, a 30-year-old White man from Abilene, Texas, was a self-employed welder and a devoted father to his two young children, Caroline and Wesson. A graduate of Clyde High School and Tulsa Welding School, he was described as an incredible welder who worked tirelessly for his family. Loved ones remembered him as a passionate lover of the outdoors whose laughter and joy could light up any room. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support his children.
In the early morning hours of October 27, 2024, an altercation began at Spanky P's bar on South Seventh Street in Abilene. According to court documents based on surveillance footage, a verbal confrontation between Smith and another man, 32-year-old Anthony Devon Evans, started on the bar's patio. During the argument, Smith slapped Evans.
The confrontation then moved outside after Evans allegedly told Smith to come outside.
Evans walked to his red Chevrolet pickup truck in the parking lot and appeared to wait for Smith to leave the bar. When Smith exited and began walking toward his own vehicle, Evans confronted him while pointing a handgun at him. Court documents state that Smith attempted to engage in a physical altercation before Evans shot him at least twice. Smith, who did not appear to be armed at any point during the incident, collapsed in the parking lot.
The shooter got into his pickup truck and fled the scene without contacting police or rendering aid. First responders transported Smith to Hendrick Hospital, where he succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
Abilene police investigators used the bar's surveillance video, witness statements, and city license plate readers to identify Anthony Devon Evans as the suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and on October 28, 2024, Evans surrendered to authorities. He was arrested and charged with murder. His bond was initially set at $500,000 but was reduced to $300,000 during a court appearance on November 15, 2024. On January 16, 2025, a Taylor County grand jury indicted Evans for first-degree felony murder.
