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A COUPLE’S FIRST DATE ENDS WITH AN AMBUSH – CAN THE ONLY SURVIVOR IDENTIFY THE SHOOTER?
“48 Hours” Reports on the Harrowing Story in “Fatal First Date”
Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT
Leslie Reeves and Chris Smith
A powerful new episode of 48 HOURS features the story of Chris Smith and Leslie Reeves, whose first date took a tragic and deadly turn. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports on the harrowing story in “Fatal First Date,” to be broadcast Saturday, Nov. 2 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
The 2021 incident in Farmersville, Ill., began like any other date night. Smith and Reeves met online and decided to go on their first date the night before Thanksgiving. But their evening together ended in horror, when an intruder entered Smith’s home sometime after 1:00 AM. Reeves was shot and killed, while Smith, who was shot in the head, barely survived.
When EMT Dennis Hobson, a longtime friend of Smith’s, arrived at the scene, he found Smith on the brink of death in a blood-soaked kitchen. Reeves was found dead in the living room. With no weapon discovered in the house, investigators believed there had to have been an intruder.
Detectives wondered what Smith remembered and whether he could identify the shooter, but he was in a medically induced coma for weeks. Some two months after the shooting, he regained consciousness but couldn’t remember anything about that Thanksgiving attack or of Reeves. “I wish to God I could remember something ... even just a smidgen, but I remember nothing,” he told Moriarty in an exclusive interview.
What followed was an investigation that had authorities convinced Reeves’ ex-boyfriend, Robert Tarr, had secretly followed her that night and broke into Smith’s home. Tarr was convicted of the murder of Reeves, and the attempted murder of Smith.
“Fatal First Date” pieces together the terrifying events of that night. Viewers will also hear from Tarr, who continues to deny his role as the shooter despite his conviction.
Judy Tygard is the executive producer of 48 HOURS. Watch 48 HOURS on CBS News 24/7, CBSNews.com, Paramount+ and YouTube. The 48 HOURS free, advertiser-supported streaming (FAST) channel is available on Pluto TV, Paramount + and Paramount partner channels. Download the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV. Follow 48 HOURS on X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Listen to the 48 HOURS collection of original podcasts at CBS Audio.
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