Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Monroe Police have upgraded the charges against two individuals identified as prime suspects in the death of a 14-year-old on October 21, 2023. The individuals, Joshua L. Smiley and a juvenile were initially charged with Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Carrying a Weapon on School property, and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. The juvenile, not Smiley, was also charged with Possession of a Handgun by a juvenile. Court documents now reveal that both individuals face upgraded charges for their alleged involvement in the teen’s death. The charges against both have been elevated to First-Degree Murder, in addition to a charge of Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder. According to MPD and court documents, both suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are scheduled to appear in court on February 12, 2024.

The October 21 shooting took place at night after Carroll’s High School homecoming football game. The incident occurred on Renwick St., far away from the school, in a dark area where a gunman shot into the crowd, resulting in the fatal wounding of the teen and injury of four others. MPD promptly arrested both individuals, confirming the juvenile's arrest on October 31, 2023, and Smiley's arrest on November 1, 2023.