A 15-year-old boy is being charged as an adult after a violent encounter escalated to a shooting near Miami Northwestern Senior High, leaving the another teen in critical condition. The defendant, Kenahri Smith, is facing grave charges including attempted murder following the January 11 incident that unraveled after a high school basketball game.
The altercation began with a verbal exchange between Smith and the victim, Devin Reeves, also 15, leading to an agreement to physically fight. According to an arrest report obtained by Local 10, during the fight, a witness's video captured a handgun tumbling out from the front pocket of Smith's hoodie. The situation escalated rapidly, with witnesses attempting to intercede before Smith reportedly opened fire on Reeves.
Reeves suffered five gunshot wounds, authorities say, with one bullet striking him in the head. He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital and remains in critical condition. NBC Miami reported that Smith turned himself in to the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department accompanied by his mother and grandfather. During his surrender, Smith allegedly admitted to authorities that he shot Reeves and then discarded the weapon while fleeing the scene.
The discarded firearm was later discovered along the exterior fence of the school, according to the police. Smith, who authorities say had a "clear path back to the school" but chose to turn and shoot, is now being held without bond at Metro West Detention Center. He will remain there until his trial begins, a judge ruled on Saturday. Despite the gravity of a situation and a community rattled by violence, the judge's decision to charge Smith as an adult reflects a stern stance on gun-related crimes involving minors.
Smith's arraignment is scheduled for Monday, where he will formally hear the charges against him. The charges include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, unlawful discharging of a firearm in public, and interference with an educational institution. This information was detailed in reports from both NBC Miami and Local 10, painting a grim picture of juvenile violence and its repercussions within the Miami-Dade community.
