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911 calls released in minister’s slaying
The wife of slain Knightdale minister called police after hearing a gunshot when her husband left home for work, according to 911 calls released by the sheriff’s office Friday.
Posted — UpdatedKNIGHTDALE, N.C. — The wife of slain Knightdale minister called police after hearing a gunshot when her husband left home for work, according to 911 calls released by the sheriff’s office Friday.
“My husband is on his way to work and he just left out the door and I hear a gunshot,” the woman said in a frantic call to 911. “I’m too afraid to go out there and see.”
Deputies found Michael Donnell Smith’s body in the driveway of his home at 1808 Lucas Road early Thursday morning.
Neighbor Craig Lucas said Thursday that Smith, who lived at the residence with his wife and stepdaughter, was also a truck driver and might have been going to work.
Harrison said authorities were contacted at about 3:30 a.m.
“I just want to make sure he is OK. My daughter is on the phone calling his cell phone,” the caller said.
Throughout the call the woman said the gunshot “sounded so close.”
Authorities received another 911 call was received from the residence that night. In the call, a female voice reports hearing a gunshot outside shortly after her step-father left for work.
Investigators are still trying to determine what happened and have not offered a possible motive for the shooting.
Smith, 48, was an associate minister at Truth and Delivery International Ministry Church in Knightdale, where he preached, taught Bible study, Sunday school and was active in community outreach.
He had given his first sermon at the church exactly three years ago Thursday.
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