Family mourns woman killed in East Oak Cliff

This story is part of The Dallas Morning News Murder Project focused on sharing the stories of all the people killed in Dallas in 2024.

Rosaland Smith’s small three-bedroom house in East Oak Cliff has a manicured yard and a bright blue porch. It’s been in the family for about half a century, and everyone comes here to eat, talk and have fun.

Someone has been missing for several months.

Shaketta Johnson, Rosaland’s niece, grew up in the house and filled the room with her laughter. Not a day went by that Shaketta, 30, didn’t come to visit, Rosaland said. She misses seeing her at the house or getting her calls in the evenings.

“This is what our unity has brought us,” said 57-year-old Rosaland.

Shaketta was shot in her car at the Glendale Shopping Center in East Oak Cliff on April 13. According to police, two men fired multiple shots and fled. Keylan Bowens, 18, is charged with murder in connection with the suspect’s death. Police are still looking for another suspect.

Shaketta’s family said she was first shot in the shoulder, but then got out of the car and lay down in the parking lot. Then one of the men shot her in the head, the family said.

According to Rosaland, Shaketta lay on the ground for a long time before someone called the police.

“She died alone,” Rosaland said. “They left her to die…that hurt me so much because I’m her protector and I couldn’t protect her.”

Shaketta was 16 when she had her daughter, who is now 14. Robin Strange, Shaketta’s mother, said the two are like sisters.

They loved eating together and getting their hair done, said Shaketta’s sister, Kaleesha. Shaketta wore her long, natural hair braided and had her daughter braid hers.

“That was her thing,” Kaleesha said. “Her baby came first.”

Shaketta’s family said she loved to eat and cook for others and dreamed of owning her own food truck. Her favorite foods included ribeye steak, lobster, chicken and dumplings and barbecue.

“Even though she was so small, she loved to eat,” said Kaleesha. Shaketta was about 5 feet 4 inches tall.

Rosaland loved Shaketta’s homemade fruit-infused drinks. The last one she made sits in Rosaland’s refrigerator, sealed in a jar.

Shaketta had many nicknames. Her grandmother called her “Poopie.” Her step-grandfather called her “Mommy” because she was so bossy, Robin said. Rosaland called her “Nay.” Robin calls her “my baby.” Rosaland’s husband called her “Slow Motion” because she was known for speaking and moving slowly. Many knew her as “Star.”

“It suited her well because wherever she went, she shone,” Kaleesha said.

Shaketta’s father, James Johnson, recalls his last visit to Shaketta’s apartment before she died. She asked him if he wanted some ice cream from a passing truck. He said no.

“She came back and put one in my hand,” he said. It was strawberry red. “That was the last time I saw her alive. That will stay with me forever.”