Statesboro police identified a man killed Thursday in a "drug transaction gone bad" as Deniro Smith, 22, of Rincon.

Statesboro police Deputy Chief Rob Bryan said Smith was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds during an altercation around 10:50 p.m. Thursday night at The Grove Apartments on Brampton Avenue.

"There was definitive evidence it (involved) a drug deal that went awry," he said on Monday.
Police officers responded Thursday after receiving information about shots fired, he said. Shortly after their arrival, they found Smith, who later died at the scene, he said.

Bryan withheld additional details about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation. He did say that the Statesboro Police Department plans to begin releasing information regarding whether such incidents are drug related.

A similar incident in November was drug related, he said. The murder of Forrest Kibler, 25, at Park Place Apartments involved a drug deal.

Kibler was found shot to death about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the apartment complex on Lanier Drive, just south of Veteran's Memorial Parkway.

Ashton Marquise King, 19, and Jamontea Marquil Pitts, 24, both of Guyton, were arrested on murder charges related to Kibler's death, he said.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.