Last November, Arlington police say a young woman’s boyfriend shot and killed her in her own apartment with an assault rifle.
Tanavian Smith, 29, is accused of killing Jayde Louis, a 24-year-old woman. A neighbor claimed the door was wide open, and she was found in her apartment.
Louis’ family describes her as a driven young woman who had recently completed college and was looking forward to the next chapter of her life.
Jayde Louis had only been dating Smith for around six months, according to her brother, Johnathan Bell, and just days before she was found dead, she revealed her plans to break up with him.
Louis was discovered shot to death at her East Arlington condominium on November 29, 2021.
Bell said, “When I first met him, he was actually a good guy. He treated her well. He bought her stuff. He was like a good guy.”
However, Bell claims that the relationship had become difficult. He claims Louis informed him that she intended to end her relationship with Smith and move on.
Louis called a friend two days before she was discovered dead, according to police documents. She told her friend about an argument she had with Smith earlier that day.
According to the police, Smith allegedly choked and threatened Louis saying, “Don’t play with me. This won’t end well.”
Bell also said, “I knew it was him because she had talked to me thanksgiving day about him, like threatening her and saying little stuff.”
A neighbor claimed to have seen Smith coming in and out of her apartment carrying an AR-15-style gun and loading luggage into Louis’ car the day before she was found dead. His cell phone records also show that he spent the entire day at that apartment complex.
Louis car was discovered discarded in Lancaster on the day she was discovered dead.
Smith allegedly texted a friend that day, stating he had made a mess and needed a rental vehicle.
Smith was detained outside of Houston last week on outstanding Hill County felony warrants.
