‘I’m crying for peace:’ Family of man found murdered in Seattle’s Gas Works Park seeks justice

Family seeks justice after brother is found shot dead in Gas Works Park

In August, a man was found shot dead in Gas Works Park, Seattle. His family is looking for answers

SEATTLE – A South Sound family is desperate for answers after the eldest of eleven siblings was found shot dead in Seattle’s Gas Works Park last month. Seattle Police have not yet made an arrest on the case.

Willie James Smith Jr. would have turned 46 on October 1st. His younger sister Lashell Smith believes he was lured into Gas Works Park. Instead, someone walking through the park found Willie’s body covered with gunshot wounds.

Lashell spoke to her brother about happier times when she shared photos with FOX 13 news reporter Steve Kiggins and smiled back at the memories. She said her brother had only been living in the South Sound for a few months.

Seattle police said they did not find much evidence in Gas Works Park on Aug. 16. Callers to the 911 emergency number reported gunshots around 4:30 a.m. that morning. Another caller said they found someone who had been shot.

“All I have is a voicemail from last year saying a happy birthday to me,” she said. “I hear this message every day.”

Lashell says Willie surfed the couch on his siblings’ couches for about three months, and her brother planned to meet someone at Gas Works Park on August 16 who promised permanent work and a place in a sober house.

Seattle police told FOX 13 News that detectives have yet to come up with a motive or description of their murder suspect.

Lashell says Willie loved his stepdaughter, played bowling, and enjoyed feeding people. She hoped he had brought his soul food catering business to Seattle from Georgia.

Before the filming, the family had a future. A future without the heartache of a lost loved one while Willie’s killer remains at large.

“I cry for peace. I cry for help and I cry for justice, ”she said.

Seattle police have asked anyone who remembers hearing gunshots in Gas Works Park on the morning of August 16 to contact the detective on the department at 206-233-5000.

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