Discovery of the Crime Scene

On the morning of May 28, 2017, Jacksonville authorities responded to reports of gunfire in the Mixon Town neighborhood. Upon arrival at 376 King Street, officers discovered the lifeless body of 30-year-old Bernard Jerome Smithson behind an abandoned home. Smithson, a resident of the area, lived less than a mile from where his body was found. The immediate surroundings offered little evidence, and the circumstances of his death remained shrouded in mystery.

A Community in Shock

The news of Smithson's death sent ripples through the local community. Neighbors expressed their disbelief and sorrow, recalling him as a familiar face in the neighborhood. The proximity of the crime to their homes heightened fears and underscored the urgency for answers. Despite the community's concern, information about potential suspects or motives was scarce, leaving residents anxious and yearning for justice....Read More