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A 22-year-old man from Troy, New York, Paul Smith, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his involvement in a shooting that resulted in the death of Javon Ward and injured two others. The incident occurred in June 2024 near Second Street and Quail Street in Albany. Smith and his co-defendant, Daquan Arrington, fired multiple shots from inside a car, hitting Ward in the back and killing him. A 46-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl were also injured but survived.
Smith accepted a plea deal that requires him to serve 21 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Arrington, who also pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, faces up to 25 years in prison. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on April 7.
Javon Ward was a well-loved member of the West Hill neighborhood in Albany. His father, Joseph B. Ward Jr., expressed his grief, saying, "This block will never be the same." The Albany County District Attorney, Lee C. Kindlon, announced Smith's plea agreement, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the impact on the community.
According to the Times Union, the shooting took place on June 5, 2024, around 1:45 a.m. Smith and Arrington were in a car when they opened fire, leading to the tragic events. CBS6 Albany reported that Ward was shot in the back and died at Albany Medical Center.