August 31, 1998

Victim: Lawrence Smith

Date: August 31, 1998

Address: 7700 Paradise Valley Road

Synopsis: On Aug 31, 1998, at about 8:20 p.m., SDPD officers respond to a radio call of a shooting at Deep Dell and Paradise Valley Road. When the officers arrived, they found the body of the victim, Lawrence Smith, 16, in the middle of the street at 7700 Paradise Valley Road.

Witnesses told officers they had seen a man with a gun chase Lawrence out of the Meadowbrook Apartments into the street on the north side of 7800 Paradise Valley Road. The suspect caught up to Smith and shot him three or four times. Smith fell into the street and was run over by a passing vehicle. The suspect, a black male 17-20 years old wearing dark clothing, ran southbound on Deep Dell and then eastbound on Prairie Mound Way.

The driver who ran over Smith stopped at the scene, attempted to render aid and gave a statement to police.

Smith had rehabilitated himself after some earlier brushes with the law. He was working, going to school and, according to loved ones, was looking forward to a bright futureIf you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team atakjohnson@pd.sandiego.gov.