EVERETT—
Washington's Most Wanted is expanding its efforts to help solve the state's biggest murder mysteries.Our new team member, Parella Lewis, will be working hard to uncover leads for these cases, starting with a loving brother and son who's life was snuffed out by a bullet - and a bunch of gang members.
Chad Smith's mom Sandy Barnes tells us, "Every time Chad would call me on the phone it was, 'I love you mom' and every time he left, he'd give me a big kiss on the cheek or on the lips, he was always a good kid."
Chad, 24, was always protective of his little sister Amber. Sandy remembers, "When Amber used to get in trouble and run away, Chad would go looking for her on his bike, no matter where he thought she was."
So, when Amber started hanging out with the wrong crowd, Chad was concerned.
Sandy talked about her daughter's bad choice of friends, "This wanna-be boyfriend of hers was a wanna-be gang member, and they found out the house was empty."
The house where Amber, 22 was living with her father, often became a place for parties when he wasn't home. Chad lived just 5 miles away and would often stop by and kick people out of the house. But, on September 14, 2003 - the night he was murdered - things took an unexpected turn.
Det. Gary Fortin with the Everett Police Department talked about that night, "These people had that night come here to this location to have a get together reportedly."
Det. Fortin is the lead investigator of the homicide that took place near 36th & Lumbard St. in Everett. "Chad pulls up to the corner, according to witnesses. He's in his vehicle which is a black 1998 Firebird, sits there and idles, and revs his vehicle for about 5 or 6 minutes."
Chad decided not to go inside the home as 8 to 10 believed to be "Crip" gang members were on the lawn in front of the house, and throwing rocks at his car.
Chad chose to drive away.
Det. Fortin describes what happened next, "He pulled down to the bottom of the road here. Sat there for a few minutes. More rocks were thrown. He backs up rather quickly to about right here, and pulls forward into the alley right about here."
Chad got out of his car and was confronted by the alleged gang members. "We know that when Chad got out, he saw somebody coming toward him with a gun. and at that point decided it was best to get out of there."
But, as Chad turned to walk away and get back in his car, three shots were fired - and one hit hit him in the back.
"Somehow the car was put into drive and Chad made it down the vehicle, in the seat, down the alley about 150 feet down the alley here. When the police arrived, that's where we found Chad."
The people on the lawn scattered before police got there.
Chad's mom remembers that devastating day, "You never think in a million years, you're going to get that kind of news."
Sandy's daughter, Amber, died in her sleep just 3 months after this horrible tragedy, leaving this mother of two with an even bigger need for resolve.
Det. Fortin has spent countless hours on this case. In fact, he's been with the police department for 22 years and it's the only case he has that's still an unsolved homicide. "I anticipate that I have 2 to 4 years left here and certainly one of my main goals is to see this crime solved."
Police believe for this to happen, one of the gang members would have to snitch on another. Something that Sandy hopes will happen soon. "To see justice would be great. If anyone out there knows anything about this, and knows the person who did this.. because someone saw. Someone knows. It would be my wish that God would soften their hearts and they would do the right thing."
If you know anything that could help Everett authorities solve the senseless murder of Chad Smith - or if you're one of the people who was there that night, and the guilt is just too much - please, pick up the phone and call:
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS.
Let's give closure to Chad's mom, and Det. Fortin, who's been working so hard to bring Chad's killer to justice.
