Mother of Christian Footballer Fatally Shot by Pastor Disputes Self-Defense Ruling
Francita Ward, the mother of Christian semi-pro footballer Deante Smith, 25, who was shot dead inside a Detroit church by his estranged pastor Keon Allison, 36, is crying foul after the Wayne County Prosecutor's office in Michigan ruled the pastor killed her son in self-defense in October.
"Hurt, still in pain. Haven't slept. Still can't sleep," Ward told Local 4 about how she was handling the Oct. 18 killing of her son inside the City of God Church in Detroit, Michigan, by Allison, whom he openly accused of having an extramarital relationship with his wife, Tykia.
Before last Friday when the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office detailed the trajectory of the footballer's death in a release to The Christian Post, very little had been know about what exactly happened inside the church. The prosecutor's office concluded that Allison acted in self-defense and there is not enough evidence to prove otherwise at this time.
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"Mr. Allison's account regarding Mr. Smith's conduct at the time of the shooting support the decision not to charge because there is insufficient evidence to prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence shows that Mr. Allison had an honest and reasonable belief that he, or some other member of the congregation was at immediate risk of death or great bodily harm at the time he shot Mr. Smith," the statement concluded.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Allison and Smith's wife, Tykia, denied they were romantically involved and that Smith had a series of threatening confrontations with Allison and his family prior to Smith's death on Sunday, Oct. 18.
"The alleged facts in this case were salacious to some because they happened in a place of worship and the person who discharged the weapon was a man of God. We closely and objectively examined the events that led to the killing of Deante Smith. The provable facts in this case showed that the actions of Keon Allison were done in lawful self-defense and there will be no charges," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
In her interview with station Local 4, however, Ward insisted that her son had not been killed in self-defense.
"My son did not do it," Ward said. "He fought him with his mouth and the belief of what he knew. God in his heart. All he asked for was the truth. All I'm going to ask for is Ms. Worthy and Mr. Casey to review this case again. This is not self-defense."
CP reached out to Ward for further comment on Tuesday but she did not respond in time for this report.
On the day of the shooting at about 1:40 p.m., according to the statement from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Smith and his estranged wife, also 25, arrived at the City of God Church located in the 22000 block of Grand River in Detroit. The footballer then encountered and confronted Allison in the rear hallway of the church.
According to evidence presented by several witnesses, Smith forced his way into the church armed with a chunk of brick. He pushed the pastor's mother to the ground after he was told that he was no longer welcome at the church.
Witnesses placed themselves between Smith and Allison as two men restrained Smith to prevent him from attacking the pastor. The footballer was then taken into a side room where he verbally agreed to leave.
Immediately after agreeing to leave, however, Smith rushed past the two men restraining him toward Allison. The pastor then pulled out a hand gun and fired one shot at Smith striking him in the left shoulder, which caused him to stagger.
Smith continued to head toward Allison, who continued to fire his weapon. The footballer was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Allison later gave a statement to the police attesting to what happened.
