Trucker murdered during delivery in East St. Louis

Feb 19, 2011

Police are seeking information regarding a trucker murdered while delivering to an East St. Louis, Ill., warehouse.

Truman Lee Smith, 40, a Marine veteran of Operation Desert Storm, was shot in the chest while delivering to Fresh Warehousing, at 2601 McCasland Ave., according to Illinois State Police and obituary information.

When city police responded to the shooting about 6 a.m. Feb. 17, they found the Irondale, Mo., resident lying in the road next to his truck. The father of three children and three step-children died later that day at a nearby hospital.

Smith was outside his truck when he was approached by a black male suspect who shot him with his handgun during an apparent robbery, according to police. The suspect then fled.

Law enforcement has asked anyone with information related to the murder to contact East St. Louis Police Det. Orlando Ward at (618) 558-8525 or Illinois State Police Sgt. Kevin McAleenan at (618) 346-3780.

They may also call CrimeStoppers at (866) 371-8477. CrimeStoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for crime information, which may be provided anonymously.

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