A Chicago man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the 2021 fatal shooting of a beloved South Side dance coach.
Diontay Kimberly, of the West Pullman neighborhood, received the maximum sentence for the murder of 32-year-old Verndell Smith.
The fatal shooting occurred in May 2021. Smith was leaving a Dunkin Donuts in the 7400-block of South King Drive when the attack happened.
Police reported that the driver of a silver SUV pulled into the parking lot and opened fire, striking Smith multiple times in the leg, arm, forehead, and torso. Paramedics rushed Smith to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Coach Who Saved Others
Verndell Smith was widely known and loved in his community for using dance to change lives. His personal slogan was: “Stop shooting and start dancing.”
His sister, LaToya Smith, spoke in 2022 about how dance had saved her brother, who was partially deaf, and how he dedicated his life to doing the same for others.
“He was one of these kids on the street with nowhere to go after school with nothing to do. Dance is what saved him and he wanted to save others the same way,” LaToya Smith said.
Smith’s impact reached beyond his students. His niece, Zaniya Cribbs, noted that he would also get food and clothes for homeless people near his studio.
Born in New Jersey, Smith moved to Chicago at age six. He was influenced by major artists like Usher, Chris Brown, and Michael Jackson. His family hopes he is remembered for his determination to overcome his disability and for showing people that “it’s never too late” to follow a dream.
The life sentence brings a definitive end to the case, honoring the memory and legacy of a dedicated community leader whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence.
