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Arrest in Killing of N.C. Central Student

Photo Credit: Durham Police Department Shannon Crawley of Greensboro, N.C., is booked after Durham police obtained a warrant charging her with the murder of Denita M. Smith.

By Rony Camille
Black College Wire

A communications specialist with the 911 operation in Guilford County, N.C., has been arrested in the Jan. 4 shooting death of Denita Monique Smith of North Carolina Central University.

Shannon Elizabeth Crawley, 27, of Greensboro, was arrested in that city on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. She was brought to Durham, which is about 55 miles east of Greensboro, after "members of the Durham Police Department’s Homicide Unit obtained a warrant charging Shannon Elizabeth Crawley with the murder of NCCU graduate student Denita M. Smith," a news release said.

A judge denied bond for her release the next morning.

Photo Credit: Campus Echo Denita Smith in May 2004 graduation photo.

Crawley was suspended from her job with Guilford Metro 911 on Jan. 5 after being identified as a "person of interest" in the case. Police would not discuss possible motives, but a police spokesman said Smith’s death was not random, but “personal and planned.” Smith’s fiancé, Jermeir Stroud, lives and works in Greensboro as a police officer and has not commented.

Crawley was identified as the driver of a burgundy Ford Explorer seen leaving Campus Crossings apartments in Durham about 8:15 a.m., less than two hours before Smith's body was found. About 8 a.m., police had responded to a report of shots fired at the apartment complex that houses about 500 students at North Carolina Central, but did not see anything suspicious.

Durham police "will not discuss suspected motives at this time," spokesman David Addison said in a news release. U.S. marshals and Greensboro police worked with Durham police to make the arrest.

NCCU spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said Crawley had no apparent link to the university, the Durham Herald-Sun reported.

"We were asked that earlier and could find no reference to a Shannon Crawley here," Saunders told the newspaper.

Smith, 25, was an NCCU graduate student who earned her bachelor of arts in English at the university in 2004.

She also sang in the Worship and Praise Inspirational Mass Choir, played the saxophone in the Sound Machine band, helped students at the Writing Studio, shot pictures and wrote stories for the student newspaper, the Campus Echo, and was active in student government.

News of the arrest traveled fast across campus.

Chancellor James H. Ammons released this statement: "What happened to Denita was unconscionable. She was an outstanding and promising young student whose life has been cut short. The arrest of a suspect will help us to begin the process of healing."

Kristen Hunter, a marketing senior, said, “I agree with Chancellor Ammons, it’s one step closer to getting over the grief.”

Jeffery Elliot, chair of the political science department, said he was encouraged that “police are taking an aggressive approach to such an horrific event. People want to see closure in this case.”

Smith had interviewed Elliot for a Nov. 25 Campus Echo news story about the nation's midterm elections.

Although Elliot was scheduled for surgery, he stayed up late responding to her e-mail questions “because I admire her,” he said.

“I’m relieved that they found someone,” said biology education junior Snwazna Adams. “I feel some kind of justice has been done for Denita.”

“I know that campus is thankful that they have made an arrest,” said education graduate student DeRonde Dawson. “I know that the family is relieved.”

NCCU Police Chief Willie Williams said in a statement: “I commend the men and women of the Durham Police Department for their effort. I have observed numerous death investigations and great talent throughout my 35 years in this profession. I must say that I have never witnessed better coordination, team spirit or greater leadership. The citizens of Durham are fortunate to have a police department with such talent, commitment and professionalism.”

The Raleigh News & Observer said it reached Calvin Smith, Denita Smith's father, at his home in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 9. He read from this statement, the story said: "Our daughter was an outstanding student . . . and she loved her school. It saddens our hearts that her life was taken while she was matriculating at a place she loved. She was passionate about her purpose and lived life to the fullest."

Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers said he hoped the arrest would “assist in the healing process."

Rony Camille, a student at North Carolina Central University, is editor in chief of the Campus Echo. Bradley Davis of the Campus Echo contributed to this story.

Posted Jan. 10, 2007