17-year-old Lawrence Griffin Charged With The Homicide Of Ronnel Smith, 12, In West Allis Over Sunglasses

Griffin is facing life in prison for Smith's cold blooded murder while attending a birthday party at a local tavern in West Allis.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 11, 2023

West Allis, Wisconsin - On Friday, Lawrence Griffin, 17, a convicted felon was charged as an adult for the February 25 homicide of Ronnel Smith, 12, at the Bug N Out Lounge in West Allis. Griffin was charged with one felony count for 1st-degree intentional homicide and use of a dangerous weapon, one felony count for 1st-degree reckless endangering safety including use of a dangerous weapon, and one felony count for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

If convicted, Griffin is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for intentional homicide, 12 years and 6 months and up to $25,000 in fines for reckless endangering, and up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for possession of a firearm by a felon. A cash bail of $255,000 was set for Griffin.

The criminal complaint says that Griffin took Smith's sunglasses while at a birthday party on the upper level of the lounge when he confronted Griffin. Griffin took out a handgun and chased Smith outside and then shot him in the chest. Smith died near a lounge neighbor's property.

Another 17-year-old Black male was also injured in the shooting. He survived. 

Griffin fled the scene, but on March 3, he was taken into custody for an unrelated incident and a handgun was recovered. Griffin's gun matched the ballistic bullet evidence in Smith's murder.

In that incident, Griffin was charged in Milwaukee County with one felony count for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one misdemeanor count for carrying a concealed firearm.

If convicted, Griffin is facing up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for possession of a firearm and up to 9 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

In September 2021, Griffin was charged in Lincoln County and pleaded guilty to one felony count for prisoner expel bodily fluid while detained at a Wisconsin Department of Corrections secure juvenile correctional facility and four felony counts for battery by prisoner. Griffin was given 5 years probation in a plea deal.