The family are speaking out after the last teenager was convicted of the murder in 2023

October 24 – The last of three teenagers charged in the 2023 death of a 15-year-old boy will spend 30 years in prison.

Teontre Kirby was sentenced Thursday morning after previously pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the June 15, 2023, shooting death of Carter P. Smith. His body was found near 28th and Commercial streets after video showed several people coming and going from the premises. region.

Kaden Wilfong and Jackson Lee Griffith were also sentenced to 30 years each in the case.

Josh Smith, Carter’s father, told the News-Press NOW that his family is grateful for the case being closed and those responsible brought to justice. He added that he hopes the tragedy will give other parents a sense of urgency to keep guns away from their children.

“The system has done its job, and I believe it can go a long way in moving the city in the right direction, keeping gun violence away from our children,” he said.

Carrie Heckman, Carter’s aunt, said the past year has been difficult with family members traveling from out of state for hearings in the case.

“My hope is that everyone can start treatment and maybe try to put this behind them,” she said.

Heckman said she appreciates everyone who worked on the case, including the detective, the victim’s advocate, the prosecutor’s office and the judge.

“Everyone was great,” she said. “There is a lot of support for the family and we appreciate it.”

Losing her nephew was hard, but she often thinks of his contagious laugh and smile that lit up any room he walked into.

“He was mean, he was quite a boy, but he wasn’t a bad bone in his body,” she said. “He was a lover, not a fighter, and we all loved Carter very much. He will be missed.”