Christopher Smith

A beloved son and brother, Christopher Lee Smith was a 28-year-old Black man from LaPlace, Louisiana, who was remembered for his "awesome voice." Known as Chris to his loved ones, his life was celebrated by a family who cherished him deeply. He was the son of Evelyn A. Smith and the late Marshall Smith, Jr., and a brother to Leroy Sanders, Jr., Tyrone Sanders, and Marshall Lee Smith, III. His passing left a void in the lives of his mother, siblings, and a host of other relatives and friends who mourned the sudden and violent loss of a man they loved.

The afternoon of Tuesday, March 29, 2016, turned tragic in the Little Woods neighborhood of New Orleans East. Around 5 p.m., the New Orleans Police Department received a call reporting shots fired and dispatched officers to the 7500 block of Kingsport Boulevard. Inside a home on that street, they made a grim discovery. Christopher Smith was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, his life cut short in a brutal act of violence. The Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Jeffrey Rouse, would later officially identify him as the victim.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) immediately launched a homicide investigation into Christopher’s death. Homicide detectives, led by Detective Tindell Murdock, began processing the scene and canvassing the neighborhood for information. In the initial stages of the investigation, police had not publicly identified any suspects or a motive in the shooting. However, they did appeal to the public for help with a specific piece of evidence that was missing from the scene: a dark gray 2009 Honda Accord. The car, which had a Louisiana license plate with the number WRZ109, was reported to have disappeared from the location of the homicide.

Investigators urged anyone who might have seen the vehicle or had any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward. The NOPD asked the community to contact Detective Murdock directly or to reach out to Crimestoppers, where tips can be provided anonymously. The initial reports from 2016 highlighted the lack of information on potential suspects, leaving Christopher’s family and community searching for answers.

In the days that followed, Christopher's family gathered to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held to honor his memory, bringing together those who knew and loved him. Friends and family shared messages of heartbreak and support for his mother, Evelyn, remembering Chris as a sweet person who was loved by many. One tribute recalled his wonderful singing voice, imagining him "singing with that awesome voice for our Father" in the afterlife.

The Little Woods area, part of the expansive New Orleans East, has faced challenges with violent crime over the years. Homicides in New Orleans are a persistent concern for residents and law enforcement, with each case representing a personal tragedy for a family and a loss for the wider community. For the Smith family, the pain was personal and immense, compounded by the unanswered questions surrounding Christopher’s murder. As of the last public reports, no arrests had been announced in connection with the homicide. The case remains open, awaiting the tip or the piece of evidence that could bring justice for Christopher Lee Smith. Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD Homicide at 504-658-6300 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.