James Jay Smith, a 20-year-old man from Los Angeles, California, was tragically shot and killed on September 1, 2014. The incident occurred near West Adams Boulevard and South Dalton Avenue in the Adams-Normandie neighborhood. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Smith was standing at an intersection with a 17-year-old when an assailant approached and began shooting.
Smith was struck multiple times and was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital, while the 17-year-old was wounded but survived. The gunman and another man, both described as male blacks, fled the scene in a light-colored vehicle.
Smith's death was one of several shootings that occurred in South Los Angeles over the Labor Day weekend. He was known for his love of building bicycles and cooking, and he enjoyed listening to 2-Pac and old R&B music. His mother, Leah Smith, described him as a "Mr. Fix-It" who never stayed in one place for long. Smith was planning to move to Pittsburgh to live with his godfather, Tiaunte Kelly, the week he was killed. Kelly had raised Smith on and off since he was eight years old and was deeply affected by his death.
The investigation into Smith's murder was handled by the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Gang Homicide Division. Despite efforts to gather information from the public, including anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers, no arrests were made, and the case remains unsolved. Witnesses reported that the shooter approached Smith and his friend, said "What's up?" and then opened fire. This senseless act of violence left a lasting impact on Smith's family and friends, who remembered him for his helpful nature and the positive influence he had on their lives.
Smith's death highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Los Angeles. Skipp Townsend, a gang intervention worker, spoke at Smith's funeral about the unnaturalness of such killings and the need for community intervention. Reginald Zachery, a manager with the city's Gang Reduction and Youth Development team, recalled meeting Smith at an anti-gang function years earlier and noted the changes Smith had made in his life. Despite these efforts, the tragic loss of James Jay Smith serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities plagued by gang violence.
