GREENSBORO, NC -- Police crime scene tape is all that remains at the Food Lion grocery store on East Market Street. Saturday a security guard, Anthony Smith, was shot at point-blank range and the suspect, police say, ran away.
Now, a church community in Winston-Salem is heartbroken knowing one of their members won't be in his regular spot in the pew. It's especially difficult for Pastor Jay Boyce who said Smith played a special role in Sunday services.
"Our baptistery is right back there and it’s a sliding door so every time I would baptize he was always the guy that would pull the door back for me," Boyce said. "We would coordinate, I’d say, ‘okay Anthony it’s time to pull it back,’ and you know the choir would finish a song and he would pull it back."
A job that was very different than his work as a security guard. Police are looking for the man they believe is responsible for the unexplained shooting.
Pastor Boyce says Smith will be remembered as a man with a great smile who loved his children and the NC State Wolfpack but he'll also be remembered for his faith.
"We live in a crazy world right now but I know him and I know that he would want to gospel told so with that we just say that Jesus is the answer in the difficult times," Boyce said. "And in something as dark as this that’s what keeps our faith as believers strong as we believe that Jesus died and rise for us again."
A friend of the family started a GoFundMe Page to help offset the cost of Smith's funeral.
The church is planning a day of service on Saturday to help his family with house and yard work. The funeral will be held Friday at Oaklawn Baptist Church.
Police are asking for help tracking down the suspect and for any information regarding the crime. Call CrimeStoppers at 336-373-1000. Surveillance photos are posted below.
