Cincinnati, Ohio — A Cincinnati mother, grappling with the killing of her 20-year-old son allegedly linked to a dispute over a rap video, expressed a sense of relief as charges have been brought against the accused. Ronnell Scott faces two counts of murder and additional charges related to the fatal shooting of TreShawn Smith, announced Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich.
Evvie Smith, the victim’s mother, shared her reaction to the indictment. “Just knowing that a person has been indicted, that means the detectives, the prosecutors cared enough to seek justice for my son,” she said.
The tragic incident occurred in Lockland when TreShawn Smith was ostensibly out with friends near the Elm Street fountain. It was there that Scott reportedly drove by, shooting Smith in the head before fleeing the scene. Such a violent resolution to a feud surprised many, especially considering it revolved around rival rap videos that contained disparaging lyrics.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, after a detailed investigation involving multiple interviews, deduced that the shooting stemmed from ongoing animosity between two factions, entrenched in making disrespectful rap videos aimed at each other. Authorities indicated that TreShawn Smith had participated in these exchanges, which likely fueled the motive for his untimely death.
Evvie Smith suggested that the rap video her son had created, which became a part of this rivalry, was developed well before tensions escalated. She expressed confusion and frustration over the subsequent violence. “Why not just come back with another rap lyric because you didn’t like the way somebody rapped? Just make another song. It’s just a song,” she lamented.
Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway for Ronnell Scott, who remains at large. This has heightened the fear and anxiety for the Smith family. “He’s still out here. I do fear for me and my family’s life. I do fear for our safety because he’s not been captured,” Evvie Smith added.
Despite the depth of her grief and ongoing fears, Evvie has chosen a path of forgiveness, which she described as a necessary step to relieve her heart of the burden of hatred. However, she underlined she would never forget what occurred.
Pillich noted that if Scott is convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to life in prison. This stark potential outcome underscores the serious consequences of letting artistic conflicts transcend the boundaries of metaphor and into real-world violence.
The death of TreShawn Smith, only two weeks shy of his 21st birthday, captured local attention not only for its brutal nature but also for the lost potential of a young man. According to his mother, TreShawn had aspirations beyond music; he had hoped to become a firefighter. In her words, “TreShawn was not only my child, he was my friend.”
As the legal proceedings advance, the community and TreShawn’s family await justice, hoping for closure and safety from further violence spurred by disputes that should ideally be settled through art, not aggression.