Police: Gaylord stabbing death came in self-defense, no charges filed

GAYLORD — A dispute between two men that led to a fatal stabbing on Aug. 17 has been ruled a justifiable homicide citing self defense, according to Gaylord Police Chief Frank Claeys.

Claeys said Shemar Myrie, 33, and Kiran Smith, 35, were one-time friends working at SunFrog Solutions, a Gaylord t-shirt company.

"Mr. Myrie shoved Mr. Smith after exchanging words. Mr. Smith then returned to his work station. Mr. Myrie then obtained a knife that he had brought to work and went out to confront Mr. Smith at his work station. Mr. Smith saw him coming with the knife. They made eye contact as Mr. Myrie was sprinting after Mr. Smith who ran from his work station. While running, Mr. Smith saw a supply cart and grabbed a basket with scissors which he used to defend himself," said Claeys.

When Smith got ahold of the scissors, Claeys said Myrie was slashing at him with the knife.

"Then a 12 to 14 second fight ensued between the two. While stabbing and slashing at each other at one point, Mr. Smith landed a fatal blow to Mr. Myrie," Claeys said.

Both men suffered stab wounds and fell to the floor before other SunFrog staff members were able to separate them. Myrie died from a puncture wound to the torso, according to Claeys. Smith is recovering from his wounds after surgery.

Both the police and the office of Otsego County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Rola believe this was a case of self defense on the part of Smith.

"It was clearly a situation where Mr. Smith was acting in self defense," Claeys said.

Smith will not face any charges in connection with the incident. Both men are from Jamaica and were previously described as friends, Claeys said.

He said officials are not clear on what caused the dispute between the two men.

"They had some deterioration in their friendship concerning some cultural norms that offended each other," Claeys said.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Police: Gaylord stabbing death came in self-defense, no charges filed