Man’s teen sister among two charged in his shooting death, Miami-Dade detectives say
One of the two people arrested in connection to a Naranja man’s shooting death is the victim’s teen sister, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office detectives say.
Rae’quan Smith, 20, was shot multiple times at the 1300 block of Southwest 266th Street on Friday, Feb. 7, shortly before midnight. Bystanders took him to HCA Florida Cutler Bay, where he died.
After months of investigation into his death, detectives arrested his sister, Deashia Smith, 17, and Elton Hightower, 19.
Both are being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting bond. Hightower is facing second-degree murder. As of Thursday, Deashia Smith is being held on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to Hightower’s arrest affidavit, deputies arrested Deashia Smith on March 10 on the weapons charge. Detectives said the gun she had on her was forensically linked to one of the weapons that killed her brother.
While in Juvenile Justice custody, she told her mother that Hightower was the gunman, and that she was in a car with him when shots were fired at Rae’quan.
The mother gave detectives a sworn statement telling them what her daughter said, according to the affidavit.
Last month, a witness who was there when the shooting happened told detectives that he saw both Hightower and Deashia Smith standing on the side of the street, shoot towards Rae’quan Smith and run away, the report states.
Detectives also say they placed Hightower at the scene using his cell phone data. They arrested Hightower Wednesday. After being read his rights, he denied involvement in the murder, according to the report.
This story will be updated.
