On February 6, 2009, a violent altercation at the Waffle House on South Houston Lake Road in Warner Robins, Georgia, ended with the fatal police shooting of Reginald Smith, a 27-year-old from Fort Valley. District Attorney Kelly Burke, after reviewing witness statements, surveillance videos, audio recordings, and Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD) policies, declared the shooting a justifiable homicide, a finding upheld by the Houston County Grand Jury. This incident, part of a pattern of criminal activity in Warner Robins, highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in managing public safety during chaotic events.

Timeline of Events

Narrative of the Incident

During a scuffle inside the Waffle House, Reginald Smith brandished a firearm, escalating the conflict. He briefly left the restaurant, likely to retrieve the weapon from his vehicle, and returned to continue the fight, brandishing the gun. Staff reported the firearm to 911, and this information was relayed to responding WRPD officers. As the altercation moved outside, Smith followed patrons into the parking lot, engaging in a verbal dispute and firing two shots into the air, as reported by the Macon Telegraph.

Officers Mettendorf and Hunley, arriving without lights or sirens (“black” for tactical safety due to the reported weapon), heard the shots as they approached. Turning the corner, they saw Smith cursing and raising his firearm toward a crowd of over 50 people who had exited the restaurant. In defense of the crowd, the officers fired eight shots, killing Smith with multiple gunshot wounds. They immediately called for assistance and attempted to secure the chaotic scene as patrons fled, per the Macon Telegraph.

Autopsy and Witness Accounts

Medical Examiner Dr. James Q. Whittaker’s autopsy confirmed Smith’s shooting arm was raised when he was shot, corroborating the officers’ account that he was aiming toward the crowd. Numerous witnesses, interviewed at the scene and in subsequent days, supported the officers’ version of events. No witness contradicted their statements, though some speculated about Smith’s intentions. All agreed he fired his weapon in a crowded area, posing an immediate threat.

Related Criminal Cases in Warner Robins

The Reginald Smith shooting is one of several high-profile criminal cases in Warner Robins linked to violence and firearms, many featured on Bristol Blog. For example, in January 2023, Renaldo Smith (no relation), a 33-year-old Warner Robins resident, was sentenced to 25 years for shooting at law enforcement during a standoff, highlighting ongoing issues with armed confrontations, as reported by 41NBC. In 2018, a Waffle House robbery on the same South Houston Lake Road involved three teenagers, reflecting a pattern of criminal activity at this location, per 41NBC. These cases underscore the challenges of crime in Warner Robins, from gang-related violence to drug trafficking, often intersecting with public spaces like Waffle House.

Conclusion

The justified shooting of Reginald Smith at the Warner Robins Waffle House in 2009 reflects the split-second decisions law enforcement must make to protect public safety. Officers Mettendorf and Hunley acted to neutralize an immediate threat, as confirmed by witnesses, autopsy evidence, and the Houston County Grand Jury. This incident, alongside other criminal cases in Warner Robins, reveals a broader pattern of violence that Bristol Blog continues to document. By examining these events, we advocate for a balanced perspective that honors law enforcement’s role while addressing community challenges, as noted by the Houston County District Attorney’s office.

References

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Reginald Smith, suspect in Warner Robins Waffle House incident

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