Four men have been arrested in connection with the Friday slaying of a Duson man, but today we’re learning more about who he was.
Ethan “Duke” Smith was shot to death outside his Duson home Friday evening; two 18-year-olds and two juveniles have been booked with first-degree murder. To read about that, click here.
Smith’s brother-in-law, Patrick Breaux, said he was a simple man who loved his children and being outdoors. Smith worked for a grass cutting service and also did carpentry work.
“He loved the outdoors, he loved the beach, and he loved eating crawfish. We were just saying today that when we eat crawfish from now on, we’re going to be thinking about him,” Breaux said. “He never got into any trouble, he was a good guy. He was a good dad. He worked every day. That’s all he did, he went to work and then he came home to spend time with his children.”
His family tells KATC that he was trying to sell a gun from his gun collection that he advertised on Facebook.
“He was just a family man that came home, worked hard and took care of his children. I want to make that clear. About collecting guns, that was his hobby and just so happened he needed to sell one to help the family and pay bills. These guys they came over and brought a gun and shot him for no reason. He would have given them the gun,” Breaux said.
Smith leaves behind a wife and three children. His oldest son watched the whole thing happen.
“My little nephew, he was outside and he ran inside telling his mommy that daddy had just been shot. She came out and got beside him. She said he suffered, struggling to breathe and he just passed away,” Breaux expressed.
The family is grateful the arrests have been made.
“I want to thank all the Duson police officers and all the Lafayette Parish Sheriff Officers for a quick response and helping him, and capturing these guys”
An account has been set up for Smith’s children, who are ages 4, 5 and 6.
If you’d like to help, click here.
