Joshua Smith, an 18-year-old Richmond man known as “J-Murda,” is in custody after U.S. Marshals arrested him in Knoxville, Tennessee, ending a months-long manhunt on an outstanding Wayne County warrant, Fox59 reported. The arrest closes the search for a suspect charged in a September triple shooting that killed 29-year-old Cecelia Hargrove and wounded two juveniles.
Smith Faces Two Murder Counts and Seven Other Felonies
According to the Richmond Police Department, Smith was taken into custody on a warrant issued in October. He faces two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder as a Level 1 felony, one count of burglary as a Level 1 felony, two counts of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury as a Level 2 felony, one count of armed robbery as a Level 3 felony, and one count of burglary as a Level 4 felony.
September Shooting Left Hargrove Dead and Two Juveniles Hospitalized
The charges stem from a September shooting in Richmond in which Hargrove was killed and two juveniles were injured. One juvenile was shot in the cheek, and the second suffered a gunshot wound near the rib cage and chest, both requiring hospital treatment, Fox59 reported. Court documents indicate Smith fired shots through a door during an attempted robbery and believed one of the juveniles intended to rob him.
Surveillance Video, Burned Clothing and a Firearm Tied Smith to the Scene
Richmond police obtained surveillance video with audio showing two individuals believed to be Smith and another juvenile suspect walking near the house. About two minutes into the footage, gunshots were heard before the pair could be seen running south through an alley. Investigators also found a Nike Air Jordan shoe believed to belong to Smith in the doorway of the residence; it matched another shoe recovered from a fire ring at a different Richmond home. Partially burned clothing consistent with what Smith reportedly wore during the shooting was found in the same fire ring, and a firearm was recovered in a wooded area nearby, according to court documents.
Next Court Appearance Not Yet Scheduled
Online court records do not indicate when Smith is expected to appear in court.
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