Ohio — An Ohio man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a 20-year-old rapper from Cincinnati who made music videos “disrespecting” him and others as part of a “feud between two groups,” according to prosecutors.
The “retaliatory shooting” was motivated by a “rap video” released in 2022 featuring victim TreShawn “Ace” Smith, who the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office describes as a local “musician” involved in the alleged feud.
Ronnell Scott, 24, allegedly killed Smith in a midday shooting over a “perceived slight,” according to a prosecutor’s office press release.
Smith was hanging out with friends on October 22, 2022, at the fountain on Elm Street in Lockland, about 10 miles north of Cincinnati, when Scott allegedly drove by and shot him in the head before fleeing, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
“Several interviews over the years helped authorities identify the killer,” the prosecutor’s office said. “The killing came after a feud between two groups that involved making rap videos disrespecting the other groups.”
Scott faces charges of purposeful murder, felony murder, felonious assault, and aggravated murder. He faces up to life in prison if convicted, but he had yet to be arrested as of Sunday afternoon.
“These killings are senseless,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich in a statement released last week. “Nothing, especially a perceived slight in a rap video, is worth killing over,” the prosecutor said. “Authorities identified Scott as the shooter after conducting thorough investigations. We will never stop working to get justice for victims.”
Evvie Smith, Smith’s mother, had previously stated that all she wanted in life was to see her son’s killer “be brought to justice,” according to local Fox affiliate WXIX, after nearly three years without an indictment.
“This is how ruthless these kids have become,” she told the station following the murder. “Whoever did this to him has a demonic spirit and needs to be prayed for.”
Evvie Smith expressed her grief at the time, saying, “No parent should have to bury their child.” Nobody should have to cremate their child. No parent should have to lay their child to rest. It’s not right, and it’s not in the proper order.”
