Man Who Shot, Killed Friend In Norristown Apartment Heads To Trial: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A man who shot and killed his friend after an incident inside a Norristown apartment will stand trial for first degree murder.

A date for the trial has not yet been set.

The incident occurred on Oct. 9 at around 4:08 a.m. on the 300 block of E. Marshall Street.

Saleem Smith, 41, was captured on video surveillance going in and out of the apartment several times through the night, starting at around 1:30 a.m., police said. The victim, 32-year-old Jeremy Johnson, lived inside the home.

Smith later told police that he and Johnson were getting high and that "some people can't handle that," according to a criminal complaint.

At around 4:07 a.m., footage captured Smith holding a firearm in the hallway outside Johnson's apartment, according to authorities.

Smith's lawyer told KYW that it was self-defense and that due to the influence of drugs, a first degree charge could not be pursued.

Smith called 911 shortly after he fired the shots.

When police arrived on the scene, the door to the apartment was open, Smith was standing on the sidewalk "unsteady on his feet," and Johnson was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest, authorities said.

Two live rounds of 9mm ammunition and a machete were recovered by police inside the apartment.