In the summer of 2018, the community of Leitchfield, Kentucky, was unsettled by the violent death of one of its own. David James Smith, a 37-year-old male, was killed on the evening of Wednesday, June 20, 2018. The events of that night unfolded at a residence on Lashley Street, culminating in a fatal shooting that would lead to a murder investigation by the Kentucky State Police.
The incident began to come to light around 10:13 PM when the Leitchfield Police Department requested
assistance from the Kentucky State Police regarding a death investigation. At the scene, they discovered that Smith had been shot multiple times. He was quickly transported to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation swiftly pointed to a suspect, James Garrett, who was 39 at the time and also a resident of Leitchfield. In a surprising turn of events, Garrett himself contacted Grayson County Dispatch and admitted to shooting someone at his residence. He was later found by Leitchfield Police officers near his home and taken in for questioning.
During questioning, Garrett provided a chilling account of the events that led to Smith's death. He told investigators that he and Smith had been drinking beer at his home earlier in the evening. After Smith left and returned about 45 minutes later, Garrett claimed a security light in his backyard alerted him to Smith's presence. Feeling paranoid, Garrett armed himself with what was described as a 'homemade 12 gauge slap gun.'
According to Garrett's statement to the police, he saw Smith in his yard holding a BB gun. Garrett claimed that Smith said, 'I got you,' which made him feel threatened. In response, Garrett shot Smith once. He then went back inside his house, reloaded the firearm, and returned to the yard where he shot Smith a second time as he lay on the ground. Following the shooting, Garrett confronted a woman in his driveway, threatening her and stealing her cell phone before she managed to escape and alert a neighbor to call for help. Garrett then fled, disposing of the gun and ammunition in a nearby pond before ultimately turning himself in to the authorities.
James Garrett was arrested and lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center. He faced a litany of serious charges, including murder, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and robbery in the first degree. The case proceeded through the justice system, leaving a lasting impact on the families involved and the small Kentucky town.
