Suspect Arrested, Charged in 2024 Fatal Shooting at 7300 Guadalcanal Road

A suspect charged in the 2024 fatal shooting of a man at 7300 Guadalcanal Road about 11:15 p.m. on August 17, 2024 has been arrested.
Kedar Andrey Smith, 28, is charged with murder in the 488th State District Court. Smith is in the custody of the Rapides Parish Jail and a booking photo provided by the Rapides Parish Jail is attached to this news release.
The victim is identified as Willie James Whitlock, 27.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant K. Persad and Detectives A. Ledford, Y. Yasin, E. Camacho and L. Gonzales reported:
HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and found an unresponsive male with gunshot wounds lying in the street. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the male to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Further investigation developed information that identified Smith as a potential suspect. In partnership with the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigation/Criminal Investigation Division and the Alexandria Police Department, the location of Smith was developed and on Monday (August 25) he was arrested without incident and booked into the Rapides Parish Jail. Houston police investigators traveled to Louisiana and spoke with Smith. He then confessed to his role in the death of Mr. Whitlock. Investigators then consulted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and he was charged with murder.
Smith remains in the Rapides Parish Jail pending extradition from Louisiana to the Harris County Jail.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Kedar Andrey Smith
(Rapides Parish Jail)
Update: JKS/ECR 8-27-25
VHS/JKS 8-19-24
Inc. #117462824