But police records show he was later let go without being charged "due to lack of cooperation by witness." Witnesses initially identified Smith as being involved in the killing. She saw the teenager, who had been hit once in the back, fall to the ground, according to police reports. A woman told police at the time she heard someone say, "No, no, no," followed by the sound of a gunshot. In March 2012, detectives arrested Smith in connection with the 2010 killing of a 17-year-old in Morgan Park. While his case moved through the courts, Smith was questioned in two shootings. Smith noticed the police and took off running but was caught. Records show police were watching Smith and two other known gang members because of shootings around a city park. In March 2011, police caught Smith with a loaded handgun in the Morgan Park neighborhood. He maintains, however, that he has never fired at anyone. Smith, known on the streets as "Meech," said that by his count, he's been shot at about nine times. Smith, 22, grew up on Chicago's Far South Side in an area dominated by gangs and readily admits to being a member of the Gangster Disciples' New Park faction. Smith, however, said that was not a role he wanted to play. His supporters said his work has led to seizures of guns and drugs, and to valuable gang intelligence that solved crimes. Loizon has previously said he and his units have done nothing wrong and have made the city's streets safer. Probation officers have told the Tribune that Loizon's personal ties to informants have been questioned within the department. Loizon declined to comment for this story. He said his officers should not pressure probationers to become informants. Lavone Haywood, the court's chief probation officer, said he was unfamiliar with Smith's case and that he would refer the allegations to the law firm to investigate.
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