Who was Winston Smith? 'Armed' Minneapolis man killed by US Marshals during arrest
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Winston Boogie Smith, 32, has been identified as the victim of another police shooting, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On Thursday, June 3, cops fatally shot Smith after he resisted arrest and brandished a gun, police claim. No footage of the incident exists, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
The shooting comes at a difficult time for Minneapolis, which is still healing after the death of George Floyd. In December 2020, a man was shot by cops less than a mile from where Floyd died. The city has also decided to pull down all the memorials and barricades from George Floyd Square, a decision that has been met with much anger. The city has promised though to create a permanent memorial.
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As soon as the shooting occurred, a crowd began gathering at the scene, which was then dispersed without incident. Later at night, crowds returned at began vandalizing stores in the area, leading to multiple arrests. This is everything we know about Smith, and why cops were attempting to arrest him.
Who was Winston Smith?
The 32-year-old was reportedly an artist and comedian, with a small fan base on social media. According to his Facebook page, Smith is a Minneapolis native and grew up in the city. He studied at Roosevelt Senior High School, a public school in the city. His account claims he worked at Elite Global Management, an artist management company. It is unclear what his role at the firm was. His Instagram account claims he does, "music, acting, comedy, and camera work."
He says his goal "is to inspire the youth and mislead." Smith has posted about 11 songs on YouTube and has several short videos up on Instagram, and goes by the name Wince Me Boii. According to social media posts, he was also a father to two young girls. Beyond that, not much is known about Smith. Judging by his social media posts, he was an active member of the Black Lives Matter movement and has even met notable attorney Ben Crump.
His name was not publicized by the BCA as the victim of the shooting, Smith's family and friends were the ones that did. His family went public with his identity, leading to tributes on social media. "He did not deserve to die. He was not a murderer. He was an entertainer," one person wrote on Facebook. "I want body camera footage. There’s a camera on the fifth floor of the parking ramp, we want to see that footage of what actually happened," Smith’s brother, Kidale, told reporters.
Why was Smith shot?
The shooting of Smith stemmed from an arrest warrant the US Marshals were attempting to serve. The BCA said Marshals were attempting to arrest Smith on outstanding warrants for "being a felon in possession of a gun". CBS Minnesota reported that he was arrested in 2017 for aggravated robbery and was put on probation. The warrant was related to a felony conviction in Ramsey County. Reportedly, Smith was convicted for firearm possession but failed to appear for sentencing on May 19. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued in his name.
The BCA was tipped off about his location at a parking ramp off Lake Street between Fremont and Hennepin avenues. They then deployed multiple officers and confronted Smith. The Marshals claim Smith wouldn't surrender and brandished a gun at them. That led to him being shot and a 27-year-old co-passenger being injured. That person, described only as a female was taken to the hospital to be treated.
Marshals associated with the task force do not use body cameras and the BCA claims there is no squad car footage either. As a result, details of the incident are murky at best. Shortly before his death, Smith recorded a song titled 'Goodbye'. Local news reporter Guy Still tweeted, "The man killed by law enforcement Thursday in Uptown was Winston Boogie Smith. An arrest warrant was issued after he skipped a probation violation hearing, which would have sent him to prison. He recently put out a song to his kids called 'Goodbye,' likely due to prison term."
The man killed by law enforcement Thursday in Uptown was Winston Boogie Smith.
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) June 4, 2021
An arrest warrant was issued after he skipped a probation violation hearing, which would have sent him to prison.
He recently put out a song to his kids called 'Goodbye,' likely due to prison term. pic.twitter.com/UrzfbU1Oda
Minnesota police claimed it was not involved in the incident and the Marshals involved have reportedly been placed on administrative leave as standard procedure. Their names have not been released.