Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for 2017 shooting that killed 18-year-old woman

Topeka, KANSAS – The killer, Javon Smith, 20 was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the shooting in 2017 and killing the 18-year-old Kianna Hodge. He injured 4 more people then.

Reportedly, the defendant pleaded guilty on October 26 to second-degree murder and the criminal discharge of a weapon into an occupied vehicle in exchange for the dismissal of charges of four counts of aggravated battery, one count of the criminal discharge of a weapon into an occupied vehicle and an alternative count of second-degree murder, according to court records.

This incident happened on March 4, 2017, where Javon Smith was on foot at S.E. 23rd and Bellview, started shooting on three men and two women in two separate vehicles.

The officers responded to the scene and found 52 shell casings at the intersection.

After 3-year investigation, the Police came with a new development on the case and charges were filed in November 2020.