The family celebrates the life of the man who was killed in the dispute over unleashed dog

Nashville, Tenn. (WTVF) – A family Nashvill mourns the loss of Chris Smith, who was shot in front of a KFC at the Rosa Parks Boulevard after the police were described as a confrontation about an unleashed dog.

“Chris is my cousin or was my cousin. We were more like brother and sister,” said Milene Cook, who gathered with family members to remember Smith.

Cook appreciates simple moments with her cousin such as family meetings under a pavilion, pizza slabs and a table full of memories with Chris Smith.

“At that time he played football for the Raiders. I had chased myself for another team and we pulled up to this game until after the game, and he chose me after the game because he won,” said Cook.

The police said they had charged a stranger for Smith's murder in front of the KFC at the Rosa Parks Boulevard.

The police say that the unleashed bulldog of the stranger went to Smith and his girlfriend. Smith had words with the dog's owner and then the two turned and went away.

“He had a good heart. He got on the way, everyone does it. He actually started to bring his life together again, and then this happened,” said Cook.

The police say that when Smith and his girlfriend went away, the man shot several shots that Smith hit. The police say that a short time later they found and arrested ISiah Maston for murder.

“He took a son, a brother, a cousin, a father, and I don't think I can ever forgive this man to do that,” said Cook.

In Madison Park under the shadow of mourning, Smith's family writes notes on balloons and sends them to Smith.

“We love you. We love you baby,” said Smith's mother Montie Smith.

Were they affected by gun violence in Nashville? Her history could help others understand the effects on families and communities. e-mail kim.rafferty@newschannel5.com to share their experiences.

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