Allegedly Impaired Tik Tok Repossession Agent Killed Former Fire Chief
Bladen County, NC – June 2, 2025 – 29-year-old Kirkland Smith had amassed thousands of views of his repossessions on Tik Tok. But on Saturday May 24th, the show came to a tragic end as he crashed into the rear of a vehicle killing its occupant.
Former Fire Chief Pete Batton, the deadly crash happened On May 24th on Highway 41 in Bladen County former Fire Chief Pete Batton was returning from a trip to Walmart and close to home. NC State Highway Patrol Trooper Schmale says 68-year-old Batton was turning onto Robin Lane from Highway 41 when he was hit in the back by a tow truck being driven by 29-year-old Kirkland Smith.
Trooper Schmale added that Smith failed to reduce his speed when he crashed into Batton’s car. Batton died at the scene.
Smith sustained minor injuries for which he was treated at a nearby hospital.
Batton’s death has shocked the people of Bladen County, but none more than his family who just laid him to rest.
According to arrest warrants, Smith has been arrested and charged with felony second-degree murder without regard and misdemeanor driving while impaired. Other sources report that Smith has numerous arrests and a self-confessed history of substance abuse and was on duty at the time of the accident.
Court records show that Smith made his first court appearance on May 30th and was given a $5 million bond. He cannot drive a car or consume any alcohol or drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Smith. Who goes by the name “Kirkland Smith Captain Repo” shares numerous filmed and published repossessions with thousands of views. In addition, he also shares these on FaceBook under the name Kirkland RepoMan Smith Reels. His employer is unknown at this point.
EDITORS NOTE
Ever since that horrible TV show Operation Repo and all of the spinoffs, the internet has been loaded with repossession agents who feel inclined to show off their work. As bad as those TV shows were to the repossession industry, these videos are almost worse. They are often conducted without the knowledge of their employers or clients and unlike those TV shows, these are real.
The duty of repossessing collateral is one that must be taken with complete regard to the privacy and dignity of the borrower, the lender and the employer. Gloating over successes in the field belongs at the lot and not online. These are real lives with real consequences.
Sharing repossessions online can get an agent, an employer and a lender sued. It is not a game. Safety and professionalism must always be priority number one.
There is nothing I am aware of to indicate that Smith was engaged or distracted by these actions at the time of this tragedy. I think it is only safe to say that Smith wishes more than anything he could relive those moments leading up to the accident and avoid it. Say what you will of him, he is only human.
Smith has the right to a fair trial. But his online activities do put his reputation at risk. This is a lesson that I hope is learned by others.
Kevin Armstrong
Publisher
Captain Repo Charged with Second Degree Murder – Captain Repo Charged with Second Degree Murder – Captain Repo Charged with Second Degree Murder
Captain Repo Charged with Second Degree Murder – Repossession Violence – Repossession History – Repossession – Repossess – Repossession – Repossessor – Police – Police – Arrest – Arrest
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