The man who was fatally shot by Minneapolis cops Thursday had been wanted in connection with a felony arms conviction and been involved in at least 20 previous run-ins with authorities, according to records and a report.
Winston Boogie Smith, 32, was gunned down in the Midwest city around 2 p.m. when he “produced a handgun” as members of a US Marshals task force tried to take him into custody on the state warrant, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department said.
Smith – who once posed with civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and posted about the George Floyd trial – was wanted in neighboring Ramsey County for failing to appear for a sentencing hearing May 19 after he was convicted of felony firearm possession, WCCO reported.
There are no court records that show details about that case.
The dad of two previously faced a felony conviction for aggravated robbery in 2017 and had two prior misdemeanor arrests for marijuana possession, court records show. Additionally, he had 17 run-ins with police for traffic violations, such as speeding and for parking in snow zones, according to the records.
Smith described himself on social media as a musician, actor, comedian and photographer whose “main goal is to inspire the youth” and people who’ve been misled, his Instagram bio shows.
On May 24, he shared a picture of himself posing with Crump – who famously represented Floyd’s family and helped to secure a felony conviction against the ex-Minneapolis police officer who killed him, Derek Chauvin. The photo is a selfie of the two and the caption states “#Greatness.”
Smith had two daughters.
He frequently posted videos on social media of comedy skits he was involved with.
Dozens of friends posted on his Facebook late Thursday and early Friday to lament his death.
“this can’t be real… My soul hurts so bad right now…,” Shelly Hopkins wrote Friday morning.
“you didn’t deserve that… this is just crazy….”
*story by The New York Post
