Robert Darnell Harris, 35, known as Smokey, was shot to death in the early morning of December 10, 2012, on Detroit’s east side. The fatal shooting happened around 1:00 a.m. near Hayes and Hazelridge streets, close to Kelly and Seymour. Neighbors reported hearing Harris pleading for his life before gunfire ended the confrontation.

Harris was a Kettering High School graduate who studied at Superior Medical Education College and worked as a security guard at venues including Hart Plaza and Cobo Hall. Friends and family remembered him for cooking, writing poetry, and boxing.

Investigators struggled to develop leads; no suspect description was released and the case remained unsolved. Crime Stoppers of Michigan offered a reward for information but no arrests, charges, or convictions were reported. If anyone knew Harris or saw activity around Hayes and Hazelridge that night, please share what might help this investigation.