Memphis Man “Mistakenly” Shoots New Girlfriend in the Head — Claims He Thought She Was Someone Else
Memphis, Tennessee —On May 23, around 2 a.m., Jyrah Smith, a 23-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed outside the apartment of her boyfriend, Deangelo Mitchell, 27. According to police reports, Mitchell told authorities he believed he was shooting at “a man with dreadlocks” whom he thought was trying to break into his home. But it wasn’t a stranger — it was Jyrah.
Jyrah was struck in the head with a shotgun blast, fired from inside the apartment as she stood outside his door. When officers arrived at the scene, they found her body just outside the front entrance. A used shotgun shell was discovered inside the apartment, providing immediate evidence that the fatal shot came from within.
Mitchell was not present when officers arrived. He turned himself in later that day and confessed to pulling the trigger, claiming he was frightened and believed someone was trying to force entry into his home. However, questions about the credibility of his story began to emerge almost immediately.
⸻
A Pattern of Violence
According to police, Jyrah’s older brother found her body on his way to work that morning — a devastating sight no sibling should ever have to face. He informed authorities that Mitchell had previously threatened Jyrah and her children, aged 1, 3, and 6.
The most chilling aspect of this tragedy is that it may have been preventable. Deangelo Mitchell had a documented history of domestic violence, with charges dating back to 2019. According to Jyrah’s father, Mitchell had already violated bond conditions related to those earlier cases and should not have been free at the time of the shooting.
“He had already broken his bond conditions and should’ve been in jail,” Jyrah’s father said. “If the system had done its job, my daughter would still be alive.”
⸻
A Private Relationship, A Public Tragedy
Jyrah’s family was reportedly unaware she was in a relationship with Mitchell. Her father, devastated by the loss, said, “She didn’t tell me about him. I’m her dad, not her friend. She kept it private.”
The relationship had only lasted about two months, but it ended in violence as sudden as it was senseless.
As more details come to light, many are questioning not just Mitchell’s actions, but the systemic failures that allowed a man with a known history of abuse to remain free.
⸻
Legal Fallout
Mitchell is now facing second-degree murder charges and is currently being held on a $760,000 bond. His court appearance is scheduled for June 9.
Investigators are still piecing together the timeline and looking into whether this truly was a tragic case of mistaken identity or something more sinister masked as a misunderstanding.
⸻
Jyrah Smith: A Life Cut Short
At just 23 years old, Jyrah had her entire life ahead of her. She was the mother of three young children, who are now left to grow up without their mother’s love, guidance, and presence. Her children — ages 1, 3, and 6 — are now in the care of their grandfather.
Her death is not just another statistic; it’s a searing example of how intimate partner violence can explode in an instant and leave families forever shattered.
⸻
Community Outrage and Mourning
The Memphis community has responded with grief and anger. Advocates for domestic violence victims are renewing calls for stricter enforcement of bond conditions and more oversight of known abusers.
“This isn’t just about one woman,” said one local activist. “It’s about a broken system that too often fails to protect victims before it’s too late.”
As Jyrah’s family plans her funeral and takes on the sudden responsibility of raising her children, they are also demanding answers—and justice.