Roger Smith, 71, was shot and killed on January 1, 2025, in the parking lot of a bingo hall on Crowley Road in Fort Worth after confronting someone who was burglarizing his truck. Witnesses saw him fall after an altercation; the suspect fled in a white SUV. Surveillance identified the vehicle as a white 2020 Mazda, and police stopped a matching vehicle on Alta Mesa Boulevard two days later. The driver, 33-year-old Kenyan Deon Buchanan, was arrested and charged with capital murder; a passenger told officers Buchanan had shot Smith and taken his wallet and cell phone. The stolen items were recovered at Buchanan’s parents’ home in Saginaw.

Known as RJ to friends, Smith was born January 16, 1953, the eldest child of Roger Jones and Eloise Harris Jones. A 1970 graduate of Polytechnical High School, he worked as a self-employed landscaper and was described as proud of his appearance, social, and devoted to family. His death has deeply affected his loved ones and the community.

If anyone saw the incident or has additional information about that night, please share what is known.