J-Shun Smith, also known as 'Pooh Pooh' and 'Gingerbread,' tragically lost his life on June 9, 2014, in Panama City, Florida. The 19-year-old was shot and killed outside KJ's Nightclub during an altercation that escalated from an argument over a girl. The incident occurred around 3:20 a.m. while Smith was sitting in the passenger seat of an SUV. The shooter, Khiry Ross, fired shots during the confrontation, ultimately striking Smith in the head.
Smith's death was one of several violent incidents in Bay County during that summer, which saw a spike in gun-related fatalities.
Following the shooting, Khiry Ross fled the scene with two other men. Ross was later apprehended and initially faced charges of second-degree murder. However, the charges were amended to manslaughter with a firearm, to which Ross pleaded no contest. He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by three years of probation. The court proceedings revealed that Ross had a history of firearm-related offenses, including discharging a firearm in public and home invasion with a firearm.
The investigation into Smith's death uncovered that the argument leading to the shooting began inside the nightclub and spilled into the parking lot. Witnesses reported that Ross admitted to the shooting and had planned to claim self-defense. Despite his claims, the murder weapon was never recovered, as Ross allegedly disposed of it in a pond. The case highlighted the broader issue of gun violence in the area, with Smith's death being one of ten fatal shootings in Bay County over a three-month period.
