Joel U. Smithwick Jr. was 20 when he was killed by a gunshot in Chesapeake, Virginia, on May 1, 2004. A native of Williamston, North Carolina, he worked as a bricklayer with Autumn Brix Blox and was known as The Brickman. He was living in Chesapeake at the time of his death.

The Chesapeake Police Department treats his death as a cold case homicide under the Crimes Against Persons Squad. To date no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. Investigators have appealed to the public for any information that might help explain what happened that day.

If anyone knew Joel, saw him in Chesapeake around May 1, 2004, or has information — however small — that could assist the investigation, please contact the Chesapeake Police Department.