ST. LOUIS, MO  (August 7, 2025) — A St. Louis jury convicted Derrick Smith, 41, on Thursday of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon for the 2024 shooting death of his girlfriend, 39-year-old Norma Reano. The fatal shooting happened on July 19, 2024, inside the couple's apartment in the 5000 block of Alaska Avenue in the City's Dutchtown neighborhood.

On the day of the incident, Smith called 911 and reported that someone had shot Ms. Reano. When police arrived, they found evidence that contradicted his statements. Investigators determined that a close-range shotgun blast killed Ms. Reano and found the weapon hidden in the building's basement. Forensic testing matched Smith's DNA to the shotgun and confirmed gunshot residue on his hands.

At trial, the prosecution called a former girlfriend of the defendant, who testified that Smith previously threatened her with a shotgun during an argument and said he would kill her.

"The defendant made a series of deliberate choices. He armed himself, pulled the trigger, and tried to hide what he had done," said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. "Every decision led to Norma Reano's death. This verdict reflects the depravity of his actions and achieves a measure of justice for Ms. Reano and her family."

Sentencing is set to take place on October 20, 2025.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Grant Simon, Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Adam Field, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Lydia Stewart prosecuted the case.

The defendant's case number is 2422-CR02087-01.