Friends, family, and classmates will gather Wednesday evening to honor the life of a Texas Christian University student who was murdered last week.
Wes Smith was killed in a random shooting on September 1 in the Fort Worth Entertainment District. A gunman approached the TCU junior in the street and shot him in the stomach, shoulder, and back of the head, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Smith was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The alleged assailant, 21-year-old Matthew Purdy, was arrested by police shortly after the shooting and reportedly confessed to the murder. Purdy told police that he did not know Smith and gave no reason for the shooting.
The TCU flag will fly at half-staff on Wednesday in honor of the fallen student. In addition, the school will hold a candlelight vigil for Smith later that same day at 8 p.m. at Frog Fountain, TCU 360 reported.
Smith’s parents, Philip and Dorree Smith, who reside in Tennessee, spoke to Fox 4 KDFW about the last time they saw their son. They celebrated his 21st birthday together and helped him move into TCU for his junior year.
“As we were pulling from out from where he was living, I was turning to Philip and said my heart is so full for him. He is so excited. He is so ready to be back,” said Dorree Smith, according to Fox 4.
“It was more about who he was that drew people to him more so than his accomplishments,” said Philip Smith, per Fox 4. “That carried over to TCU and his everyday life also.”
Smith was active in the community, playing on the TCU football team his freshman year and coaching the middle school football team at All Saints Episcopal School.
Smith’s funeral will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, next week. Doree Smith said the community coming together to grieve and honor Wes will keep his memory alive.
“His life matters. We want it to matter in a positive way that moves us forward to make things better for the next generation,” said Dorree, according to Fox 4.
