Bio

Roland James Smith Jr. was born in 1944. He grew up in Harlem, New York. There is limited information about his early life, but he became known as a black activist later in life. This activism was shaped by the social and racial issues he witnessed around him.

As he got older, Smith became involved in local community issues. He expressed strong opinions about the struggles of black residents in Harlem. Over time, he became known for his passionate approach. He often participated in protests and demonstrations, advocating for the rights and interests of the black community.

By the time he was in his fifties, Smith had built a criminal record that dated back nearly 30 years. Despite his past, he remained a vocal figure in the neighborhood, focusing on conflicts that affected local businesses and residents. One major issue involved a clothing store that planned to expand, which would displace a long-standing black-owned record store next door, causing much anger in the community.

Murder Story

On December 8, 1995, at 10:12 a.m., Roland James Smith Jr. entered Freddy's Fashion Mart in Harlem, New York. He was 51 years old at the time. Smith, armed with a .38-caliber revolver and a bag of flammable liquid, demanded all the black customers to leave the store. He then proceeded to shoot four people who were attempting to escape the building.

After shooting, Smith barricaded the exit, trapping seven store employees inside. As police arrived and exchanged gunfire with him, Smith set several fires within the store. The blaze spread quickly, leading to chaos and panic. Emergency responders struggled to reach those trapped inside due to the intensity of the fire.

Smith ultimately ended the situation by taking his own life, leaving seven others to succumb to smoke inhalation. Fire officials later found that the store's sprinkler system had been shut down, which violated local fire codes. The incident resulted in the deaths of eight people, including Smith.