Chief Evans said Smith is a career criminal who was discharged from prison on January 17th. He has served prison time for convictions of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Felony Firearms, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and other serious offenses. One of his alleged victims, Carson, also had prior weapons and drug convictions.  (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

DETROIT POLICE NAME SUSPECT IN DOUBLE MURDER

Family supports release of portions of child’s 911 call

Detroit Police are urgently asking for the public’s assistance in locating Derrick Dennard Smith, 42, who has been named as a suspect in the brutal double murder that occurred in the 19000 block of Glastonbury on Monday night. Prosecutors yesterday signed a first degree murder warrant for Smith’s arrest.

According to investigators, Smith allegedly shot and killed Purcell Carson and Monica Botello, both 26, as Botello’s daughters hid in horror. Chief Warren Evans said the motive behind the killing has not been fully determined, but he pointed out that Smith and Carson both have extensive criminal histories and may have been acquainted.

After Smith and an unknown accomplice fled the scene, Botello’s eight-year-old daughter bravely called 911 and managed to keep her composure as her mother lay dying on the basement floor. According to investigators, Botello and her children were only visiting Carson’s home when the suspects arrived. Calling from her mother’s cell phone, Botello’s daughter was at first unable to even let the 911 dispatcher know their location for several minutes since she was unfamiliar with the location.



With the consent of the girls’ remaining family, police released portions of the call made to 911 by the eight-year-old daughter. Chief Evans said his investigators believe that once anyone who knows Smith hears what the girl’s frantic call and what she was put through, they will come forward with whatever they know.

“This was not an easy decision, but we feel it was a necessary one to get this suspect into custody as quickly as possible,” Chief Evans said. “We need people to understand what this child went through, allegedly at the hands of Derrick Smith,” Chief Evans said. “Anyone who knows anything about Mr. Smith’s whereabouts must understand that he is capable of anything and likely is desperate enough to do something like this again.”



Chief Evans said Smith is a career criminal who was discharged from prison on January 17th. He has served prison time for convictions of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Felony Firearms, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and other serious offenses. One of his alleged victims, Carson, also had prior weapons and drug convictions.

Chief Evans praised the work of his homicide investigators to quickly identify Smith as the main suspect, given the fact that the only witnesses were children.

“Our investigators have utilized a great deal of skill and sensitivity in building their case,” Chief Evans said. “Clearly, a case like this affects them as deeply it does anyone.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detroit Police Homicide at 596-2260, or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Citizens can also anonymously text tips directly to Detroit Police at 847411. Text tips must start with the letters DPD, followed by the tip information.