ALABAMA — A quiet Alabama home became the scene of an unimaginable tragedy in the early hours of August 14, 2025. Investigators discovered that a mother and her two children were fatally shot in their own residence by a man they trusted.
The victims have been identified as:
💔 Larrica Gaines Smith, 41
💔 Khristian Smith, 15
💔 Kinsley Smith, 11
Authorities report that Kenneth O’Neil Smith Jr., 44, the children’s father and Larrica’s husband, shot each of them before taking his own life. Sheriff Anthony Lowery described the scene as “as tragic as it comes” and said it was one of the most horrific cases he had seen in nearly three decades.
Tragically, the children’s phones were still ringing when deputies arrived, calls from friends unaware that the young victims had already passed.
“This wasn’t just a domestic dispute. It was a slaughter inside a home that once held love, laughter, and life,” the sheriff said.
The community mourns a family whose lives were cut short in a violent and senseless act. Authorities urge anyone affected to seek support and counseling during this difficult time.
This heartbreaking event serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of vigilance, support, and intervention.
We remember Larrica, Khristian, and Kinsley. Say their names. Honor their lives. Their memory will live on.