DETROIT, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of 5-year-old Mariah Trenice Smith, said Robin Shoemaker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division.
"The citizens of Detroit deserve a safe community. Unfortunately, there are predators who feed on the young and vulnerable. We as a community need to do whatever we can to protect our children and each other. ATF will continue to work with the Detroit Police Department and our other local and state law enforcement partners to solve this senseless crime and other crimes of violence that cripple our communities," Shoemaker said.
Smith was last seen in the early morning hours of July 24, sleeping on the floor of her west side home in the 3800 block of Burlingame St. and was later reported missing. Days later her remains were found in a house on Waverly Street in Detroit. According to the Wayne County Medical Examiners' Office, Smith had been asphyxiated before being set on fire in the abandoned house.
ATF and the Detroit Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the unknown individuals responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to call ATF at 1-800 ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or Detroit Police Homicide at 1-313-596-2260. Callers can remain anonymous.
For more information on ATF go to www.atf.gov.
Contact: Special Agent Donald Dawkins
Public Information Officer, ATF
313-407-6018 Cell
SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
