Willie James Iv Smith, a 22-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 28, 2013, in Minneapolis. The violence began with a fight near the Blue Nile Restaurant and Lounge at 2027 East Franklin Avenue; officers responded to an initial altercation near 21st Avenue South and East Franklin Avenue about two hours before bars were scheduled to close. After the crowd was dispersed, some people reportedly returned with firearms and a subsequent confrontation left Willie James Smith III of St. Paul shot in the chest.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office. Another person suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. In the days after the shooting, no arrests had been announced and authorities had not publicly identified suspects or persons of interest; the homicide investigation remained open.

If anyone witnessed the fight or the later shooting, or has information about those who returned to the scene with weapons, please come forward.