Willie Tounzell Smith, a 48-year-old Black man, was shot and killed in Minneapolis in the early hours of May 17, 2021. Officers responded about 1:20 a.m. near Elliot and Franklin avenues in the Ventura Village neighborhood after residents reported a woman screaming. They found a woman just south of the intersection with serious injuries; initial reports said she did not appear to have been shot and she was taken to a hospital.At least two vehicles were seen traveling westbound on Franklin when one struck the woman and both continued past Elliot Avenue.

One vehicle then made a U-turn in the street and someone inside that vehicle opened fire, fatally wounding Smith, who was walking nearby. The suspect vehicle fled south on Elliot Avenue.This was the 27th homicide reported in Minneapolis that year. No arrests had been announced and investigators were asking the public for information.

If anyone knew Smith, the scene, or saw vehicles or people in the area that night, please share what is known with police.