A man was shot and killed in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, after an argument with commenters during a Facebook live stream.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that on June 28 at 11:00AM, authorities received "multiple calls of shots fired with a man laying on the ground" on Nash Avenue in Ypsilanti.
polPolice found 46-year-old Terrill Smith who "had been hit multiple times by gunfire" once they arrived on the scene. Medical workers then rushed Smith to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
"While Terrill streamed live from his Facebook page, the shooting was overheard/witnessed by many," the release said. Before the video was removed, it was "shared numerous times" and "countless people were exposed to the reality of gun violence here in our community".
As reported by People, three people have now been arrested for their alleged connection to the shooting.
An official has revealed that a 24-year-old unidentified man from Ypsilanti City was taken into custody in Georgia and is "in the process" of being moved to Washtenaw County on pending charges.
The official also added that two women - 41-year-old Martita Bonner and 25-year-old Jermia Castion - have also been indicted for complicity to commit homicide/open murder.
They are both being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $1 million bond, but it's not clear if they have lawyers to comment on their behalf.
According to WDIV, Smith, who was famous for his "brutally honest" Facebook live sessions titled Rells Corner, was praising his hometown during the live stream.
"What makes y'all think because y'all moved that y'all better than Ypsi?" he said, per the publication. "Y'all aren't better than Ypsi. Ya'll a product of Ypsi."
Officials told the outlet that Smith disputed with a commenter who reportedly threatened him, and Smith said in response: "Now y'all on Facebook, I'm riding around with 60 shots".
An individual then arrived at Smith's home, and he allegedly said on the live stream: "OK, we've got action. We've got action."
The outlet added that initially, the stream had thousands of viewers when police disclosed that more than 30 shots were fired, and as a result, Smith was struck.
The actual shooting wasn't caught on the stream, however, a witness was heard contacting local authorities. The video then had 37,000 views before Facebook eventually removed it from the social media platform.
Smith's mother, Genniece Smith, has spoken out about her loss to FOX2 Detroit and said "[Her son] was a comedian and that he disrespected people and they got mad Words can't kill you..a gun can." She continued: "Two gunmen got out, shot at Terrill."
Genniece added: "God has the last say. But right now, the devil came and took my son."
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