CHICAGO — Arian J. Smith was a truck driver and prospective police officer who worked hard and sacrificed to make a better life for his three children, his family said.
But after the 32-year-old was found dead in his kitchen last week, Smith's friends and family are picking up his work to make sure his kids have a successful life.
On Sept. 27, Smith was found by officers in the kitchen of his Ashburn home, with a gunshot wound in his head. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene, police said.
Smith was a full-time truck driver who went back to school this summer and was on his way to becoming a Chicago Police officer, just like his father, said LeAnna Smith, his sister.
"He had passed his exams and went through the investigation process. He was waiting for a call back," LeAnna Smith said. "He wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps."
Police confirmed Smith was going through the hiring process and said detectives are working to solve his murder.
"We were saddened by the news, and detectives are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting," said Sgt. Bob Kane, a police spokesman.
Smith had gone back to school to make a better life for himself and his three young kids, friends and family said. He had recently split up with the mother of his children, with whom he had been in a relationship for eight years, but remained the primary caregiver and provider for them. They are 6, 3 and 2 years old, sources said.
"His kids were his everything," said Danielle Parker, who said she was one of Smith's best friends. "Friday night, 99 percent of the time he was at home with the kids."
Now that their primary caregiver is dead, Smith's family is grappling with what to do with his children.
Arian J. Smith with his three children. From left: Tishon, 6, Armani, 2, and Ariana, 3. [Submitted]
LeAnna Smith said she has been watching them since her brother's death and is meeting with their mother this week to come up with a care plan. She said she is considering moving back from Iowa to help raise the children.
A GoFundMe has been launched by Smith's friends to help provide financial security for the kids.
"We want to make sure there is some security for the kids," LeAnna Smith said. "We want the kids to live the type of life Arian wanted them to live."
Smith has been described as a friendly and driven man who loved his family.
When his kids were younger, Smith changed his work schedule as a truck driver to only work local jobs. That way he could be with his kids most afternoons, friends and family said. He had a bachelor's degree in business administration and loved to host and be "the life of the party," Parker said.
It was right around this time of year that Smith would put on a Halloween party for his kids and their cousins and friends, Parker said. Some 30 to 40 kids would attend, with Smith relishing his opportunity to host.
"He did all of the food and everything," she said. "All he asked them to bring was a bag of candy."
Smith's loved ones are still trying to wrap their heads around how he could have died so violently and tragically.
They're also puzzled as to who could have killed him, as Smith was not in a gang nor had he ever dealt drugs, as evidenced by his advancement through the police hiring process, his sister said.
Smith was found in his home at 4:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, police said at the time. There were no signs of forced entry, and LeAnna Smith said she wasn't sure if anything was stolen.
The circumstances of his death have led family to believe Smith was killed by someone he knew and trusted and likely let into his house that day, LeAnna Smith and Parker said. They each said they had no idea who could have done such a thing.
"That's why it's such a big blow," LeAnna Smith said. "Arian was loved by so many people. It's really unbelievable.
"We're still trying to process our own reality," LeAnna continued. "We're waiting for him to still walk around the corner."
To donate to Smith's fundraiser, click here.
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