Jeremy Smith, 47, of Spurger, Texas, was shot and killed on July 21, 2019. He was found off County Road 4375 near Spurger with a gunshot wound to his chest. Witnesses at the scene identified 83-year-old neighbor Wilmer Taylor as the person who shot Smith.

The two men had an ongoing property dispute and a history of altercations over property boundaries, according to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office. On the day of the shooting Taylor allegedly confronted Smith on the property and, after a brief exchange, shot him twice in the chest; Smith’s family said Taylor had pulled a gun on Smith and threatened to shoot him beforehand. An autopsy was scheduled in Beaumont to confirm cause of death. Taylor was taken into custody and charged with murder; bond was set and legal proceedings were pending.

Neighbors said the conflict had been escalating and expressed concern for community safety. If anyone knew Jeremy Smith or has information about the dispute or the shooting, please come forward to local authorities.