Bernard Jerome Smithson, a man remembered by loved ones as happy, loving, and the kind of person who could always make you laugh, was 30 years old when his life was cut short by gun violence. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 22, 1986, to Patricia Smithson and Kevin Fussell, Bernard was a father to his son, Lamontre Jerome Brown. Known to some by the nickname "Nard," he was described as a caring and vibrant young man who loved being the center of attention, always making his presence known with his boisterous personality. His family recalled that whenever he left, he made sure to tell them he loved them.
The morning of Sunday, May 28, 2017, brought a tragic discovery in Jacksonville's Mixon Town neighborhood. At approximately 9:40 a.m., officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the 300 block of King Street, just north of Interstate 10, after receiving a call about gunfire in the area.
Behind an abandoned home, they found Bernard Smithson, who had been fatally shot. Bernard, an African-American male, lived less than a mile from where his body was discovered. Investigators at the scene began processing evidence and believed he had not been deceased for very long before being found.
The investigation into Bernard's death was launched immediately by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Homicide detectives canvassed the North Riverside area, going door-to-door to ask residents if they had seen or heard anything unusual. They also searched for any home surveillance cameras that might have captured footage relevant to the shooting. Despite these efforts, police did not release any information about a potential suspect or motive in the days following the homicide. The case was one of 13 homicides to occur in Jacksonville during May 2017, a month that saw a significant spike in violence, including four deaths over the Memorial Day weekend alone.
In the years since Bernard Smithson was killed, his case has remained an active investigation, but no arrests have been made. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest. The circumstances surrounding what led to the fatal shooting on that vacant lot on King Street remain unclear. A year after Bernard's death, the same lot became the scene of another fatal shooting, though there is no indication from authorities that the two incidents are connected.
Bernard's family was left to mourn a man known for his "crazy" and loving spirit. His obituary listed his mother, Patricia; his father, Kevin; his son, Lamontre; two sisters, Victoria and Patricia; and two brothers, Rickey and Willie, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends who cherished his memory. Online memorial pages show an outpouring of grief and love, with messages like, "i miss u so much brother u gone but NEVERRRR FORGOTTEN," and "Bernard We love and miss you dearly you will NEVER be forgotten."
As of June 2017, the investigation into Bernard Smithson's murder is ongoing. Authorities continue to ask for the public's help to solve the case and bring a measure of justice to his grieving family. Crime Stoppers has offered a financial reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or to remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
