On the evening of April 14, 1989, Harrison Smith, 27, was standing on the corner of 32nd and Webster Streets when a vehicle occupied by three males pulled up. Harrison approached the vehicle and leaned into the passenger side, at which point a struggle broke out between Harrison and one of the men in the car. The car left going northbound on 32nd Street with Harrison hanging out the window. Harrison was discovered moments later 1 blocks up the street, lying on the pavement and suffering from a deep stab wound to the torso. Harrison was driven to a nearby hospital but died the following day.

The suspect vehicle was described as a larger, American-made sedan, possibly a Ford or an Oldsmobile Delta 88.