Shikeither Dinetta Smith, a 35-year-old African American woman, was shot dead inside a residence on Newcastle Street in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the early morning of September 5, 2018. Police were called about shots fired at about 6:50 a.m.; paramedics pronounced Smith dead at the scene around 7 a.m.

Investigators classified the case as domestic in nature. Smith’s long-term boyfriend, 34-year-old Thomas Henry McCray, was at the scene and was arrested; he was charged with first-degree murder and with felony possession of cocaine. Detectives reported the couple had a long-term relationship and noted McCray had a crack cocaine habit that may have been a factor. The couple’s children were not at the house when the shooting occurred.

Anyone with information about the events that morning or about Smith or her family is asked to come forward.