On the evening of October 18, 2022, 25-year-old Anthony P. Smith committed a domestic assault at a mobile home on Klug Pines Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana, during which he abducted 1-year-old Ronnie Marter and his 10-month-old sister Lillian Rose Marter from their mother. Smith drove the children to Bill Cockrell Metro Park, where he shot both children before turning the gun on himself. Lillian was found dead at the scene at approximately 9 PM inside a vehicle. Ronnie was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health but died just before midnight. Smith's relationship to the mother and the children was not clarified by authorities.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The People article states that Smith "shot them both before ending his own life," and the KSLA article identifies the perpetrator as "the shooter." Both clearly indicate a firearm was used.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The People article states that Smith "shot them both before ending his own life." The KSLA article describes the incident as a murder-suicide where the children were killed. Shooting is an inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Both documents explicitly describe the incident as a murder-suicide. The KSLA article headline reads "Man, 2 children die in murder-suicide" and states "officers then discovered the murder-suicide." The People article describes it as a "double murder-suicide."
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The perpetrator, 25-year-old Anthony P. Smith, has a different last name from the children (Marter), suggesting he is not the biological father. The People article states he kidnapped the children "following a domestic dispute with the children's mother," and the KSLA article describes a "domestic assault." These terms typically imply an intimate partner relationship. However, the People article explicitly states: "It is unclear what Smith's relationship was to the mother or the children." The domestic dispute context and differing surnames suggest a possible paramour/boyfriend role, but this is not confirmed.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The KSLA article states that the initial call came in as "an assault and battery" and when officers arrived to "investigate the domestic assault, they discovered there was a home invasion and kidnapping." The People article describes the incident as arising from "a domestic dispute with the children's mother." These references to domestic assault/dispute constitute domestic violence by the perpetrator.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge: First, the incident involved a home invasion and kidnapping that preceded the murder-suicide, with the KSLA article stating that "officers arrived to investigate the domestic assault, they discovered there was a home invasion and kidnapping." Second, up to 21 police units were deployed in response, indicating a massive law enforcement mobilization. Third, the Shreveport Police Officer's Association released a public statement highlighting the severe psychological toll on responding officers, stating: "This City can be evil... this job will destroy the strongest servant." Fourth, the children's deaths were the 44th and 45th homicides in Shreveport in 2022, underscoring systemic community violence. Additionally, the People article notes that a GoFundMe was created to help offset funeral costs.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.