Broderick Smith, 20, Charged with Felony Murder in Shooting Death of Anthony Beavers, 19, Over a Touchscreen Cellphone

Broderick Smith, arrested and charged in the shooting death of accomplished chess player Anthony Beavers, over a touchscreen cellphone.

Broderick Smith, 20, of Atlanta, was arrested Thursday in connection with the shooting death of Anthony Beavers, a well-known 19 year old chess champion. What is horrific is that this young man's life was taken over a new touchscreen cell phone. Authorities said the shooting occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday at the East Point MARTA station on the southbound platform. This young man, a graduate of Jonesboro High School, did not deserve to die in such a way. It is a disgrace that someone's life could be taken away over a cellphone.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, at the time of the shooting, Smith was already serving probation for crimes committed in 2006 and 2008, including two charges of theft by receiving a stolen car, criminal damage to property and obstruction. He has now been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for Beaver's death. Gee, why am I not surprised by his despicable actions. He should have never been released in 2008, only to commit such an unspeakable act two years later.

According to WSB-TV, MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham said, "There is no question in my mind that Mr. Smith is the shooter."

Of course, the perpetrator's family is taking a different position. Channel 2 Action News spoke exclusively with the accused killer's grandmother. She said she couldn't believe when MARTA police showed up at her door with guns.

"They said get down. I said 'get down for what?'" said Smith's grandmother. "I didn't know what had happened," she said. Smith was taken into custody at the house. Source: WSB-TV

I am really saddened by the fact that most of the crimes in the Atlanta area are being committed by young black men. This isn't good for our community. Some of our civil rights leaders make the argument that the black man has been denigrated for so long and is being held down by society, while some aspects of that might be true, there is also one's personal responsibility and accountability that comes into play. If Broderick Smith is the gunman, he knew exactly what he was doing and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We have a serious problem in the black community and it seems that some black men have a propensity to be violent.