On the late afternoon of Thursday, February 9, 2017, 34-year-old Joseph Smith was shot multiple times at an apartment building at 25 Portland Street in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police responded around 4:45 p.m. after reports of shots fired.

Authorities say 34-year-old Sean LaRose of Haverhill fled in a stolen red Mazda CX-9 as officers were arriving. LaRose was located and arrested later that evening in nearby Amesbury by Massachusetts State Police units, including K-9 teams and Special Tactical Operations. He was charged with murder and larceny of a motor vehicle, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and was ordered held without bail. Prosecutors reported witnesses had seen LaRose with a revolver that was later recovered. No motive has been made public.

Joseph Smith’s family remembered him as a son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin, and best friend. If anyone has information about what led to this shooting, please come forward.