It is believed that Hall spotted Smith driving into the Target parking lot after he had arrived. He noticed that she was alone and thus began following her in store to assure himself that she was not meeting anyone. When he saw her about to leave, he went to his truck and retrieved his gun. He waited until Smith was most vulnerable, when she was getting ready to leave, before he struck. He took her 20 miles away to the Missouri woods, where he sexually assaulted and strangled her.