Faith guides family of murder victim as they await suspect’s arrest

Family, friends and community activists gathered on West Lake Street on Friday afternoon to remember 32-year-old Tu’Quan Lee Smith, Sr., who was fatally shot last month in the drive-up lane at a Minneapolis fast-food restaurant.

Minneapolis Police said an arrest warrant was issued on a second murder charge for 29-year-old Lionell J. Hicks, who police say fired a gun from a red Jeep while in the drive-up.

"I feel like this was horrible, this was gruesome, uncalled for — violent," said Virgil Smith, a brother of the victim. "He was always a very joking person, a lot of laughter around him, been through a lot."

Family from around the country traveled to the Twin Cities metro for the vigil, which was organized by New Black Panther Nation Minnesota.

"His life was stripped away from him — senselessly," said Nasiy Nasir X, community activist who organized vigil. "These crimes continue to keep happing how many fathers and mothers continue to have to bury their children?"

According to an arrest warrant, the deadly encounter happened at around 1:55 a.m. in the 100 block of West Lake Street on Aug. 15.

A friend of Smith, who was in a different car in line, asked the driver of a red Jeep to move up so they could get out of line. Soon after, the Jeep moved, the friend pulled around and Smith followed in a different car.

A passenger in the Jeep exchanged words with Smith before Hicks allegedly fired a gun, investigators said in the arrest warrant.

The Hennepin County medical examiner said Smith died at the scene from gunshot wounds to his chest.

"We were adopted and we went through a struggle as kids, it’s unfortunate this had to happen to him," said Zachary Bobo, another brother of the victim.

The victims’ brothers said faith is guiding them during this difficult time.

"I think the man above is going to catch this guy,” Bobo said. “I got faith that he’s going to do the right thing.”

"My faith is what’s keeping me grounded on that aspect of it, and the aspect of me needing to heal, me needing to move forward with my life, even though it’s going to be completely different without my brother being here," Virgil Smith added.

Minneapolis police ask anyone with information on the suspect to call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477.