>> reporter: denita smith probably never saw it coming. one shot, a clean hit from behind. the killer was apparently lying in wait on the apartment's second floor landing as denita walked down the stairs from her third floor unit, said durham police detective shawn pate. >> there were four apartments on that landing. i think that someone was there pretending they were knocking on the door or fumbling for keys. >> reporter: so denita probably would have had to walk right past the shooter? >> probably good morning, how are you, then turn and go down the steps. >> reporter: bang. >> and that's it. >> reporter: denita murdered. executed in broad daylight. it made no sense. her bff edythe says denita simply didn't have any enemies. >> denita was a light in this dark world. she had a beautiful spirit.