‘He’s everything to us:’ Family of man killed during parking spot argument remembers him

ATLANTA — A family is mourning the loss of a son, brother and father of a young girl. The family of Joseph Smith said he was the man killed at the Odyssey Lounge in Northwest Atlanta during an argument over a parking space.

“My brother was just caught in the cross fire. It wasn’t for him intentionally; he wasn’t the target,” said Alexis McKenzie.

It’s news no sister wants to hear, said McKenzie. She got the call from Arizona that her brother, 30-year old Joseph ‘Joe-Joe’ London Smith, was shot and killed on Saturday morning.

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She doesn’t believe her brother could have been involved in the violence.

“He has a daughter, only one kid. Josie. She’s everything to him,” said McKenzie.

Police said an argument over a parking space started at Odyssey Restaurant and Lounge on Marietta Street, and then someone started shooting.

Police said there were two victims. One man was hit in his leg. He’s expected to survive. The other victim was Smith.

McKenzie said her brother was only there to shoot a music video.

“He was basically at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

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Smith’s family talked to Channel 2. They said they’re still trying to understand all of this.

“I want this to stop. This is just happening to many families too often,” said Sonia Evans, Smith’s mother.

McKenzie said, “He’s everything to us. He’s the one that went off to college. Went off to live his dreams. He was a videographer. He was into making films.”'

His family sent us photos that Smith shot on his own. They said he enjoyed capturing life’s moments.

“He’s one of those good guys you wouldn’t expect for none of this to happen to. He was someone that really, really pursued his dreams and was determined. He was doing music videos and movies. Anything behind the camera, that was him. That was his heart,” said McKenzie.

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His family wants people to remember Smith as a creative genius.

“Joe-Joe, my little brother, loved everything about the video scene. He loved making videos and connecting with everybody. That was the only reason why he moved to Atlanta (…) to pursue everything behind the music scene. He had raw talent. Joseph was everything to us. Everything. This was crazy. I’m so sorry, Joe-Joe, that you’re not here right now,” said McKenzie.

Police are looking for Smith’s killer and going through security footage. His family is begging the killer to come forward. If you know anything about the shooting or the killer, call the Atlanta police.

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Argument over parking space leaves 1 man dead, 2 injured, police say Shots were fired after an argument over a parking space escalated early Saturday morning.

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