HALLS CROSSROADS, Tenn. — The Halls Crossroads community spent Friday honoring the life of a man who was fatally shot a year ago while confronting a person accused of shoplifting from a Rural King store.
Tristan Smith, then-23, from Powell, approached then-18-year-old Larry McBee Jr. on Dec. 22, 2022. McBee Jr. is accused of trying to steal ammo and bungee cords, and the two got into a confrontation outside the back of the business. During the confrontation, Smith was fatally shot.
"I wanted to share Tristan's story. He's an amazing person and he deserves that," said Sandy Smith Remington, his mother who spoke near the place he was shot around a year later. "Everybody always loved Tristan. If you knew him, you loved him."
Community members, family members and friends gathered near the place where Tristan was shot on Dec. 22, 2023, to remember his life and honor him. There, they shared stories about him and reminisced about the time they spent together.
"Relying on God for strength and living for my boys. You know, he's the third son that I've lost, but living for the boys and keeping their memories alive," said Remington. "To see the love and the support from everybody is truly amazing, and it touches my heart. That, he was very much loved, still is very missed."
One of the people who spoke Friday received a scholarship created in Tristan's name, meant to benefit students who want to pursue theater.
"Every time I come out here, I get to know who Tristan is. And, I get to know who her family is. And, I get to see the impact he had. And so, I felt like that was the important part of coming here," said William "Shon" Seivers who received the scholarship.
Remington said she chose him to receive the scholarship because of the similarities she said he shared with Tristan.
"The little thing that I read about heroes was so similar to what Sean had written. And, I knew that he was gonna be the recipient," said Remington.
Now, the legacy of Tristan is living on through those who loved him. Meanwhile, McBee Jr. is expected to appear in court in late January on charges of robbery and felony murder.
"I think it's important to remember, and that his story be shared. So many times the victims are forgotten, and I didn't want that to be the case. His life mattered, and I want people to know who he is," said Remington.