A teenager has been arrested and charged with murder, one year after he allegedly shot and killed 19-year-old Griffin Smith near a Dollar General Store in Marion Oaks.
On Saturday, December 2, at around 3:15 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to the 200 block of Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala in reference to a possible vehicle accident that had occurred in the area behind the Marion Oaks Community Center, according to the sheriff’s office.
When deputies arrived, they located the male victim, Smith, inside his white 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck. He had sustained gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
MCSO stated that its Major Crimes detectives launched a homicide investigation, which revealed that the victim had arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy, identified as Kydris Jackson, at the Dollar General store in order to purchase a firearm.
While outside the store, Jackson allegedly began shooting at the victim’s vehicle as the victim drove away. Shortly after leaving the area, the victim’s vehicle came to a stop near trees that were located behind the Marion Oaks Community Center.
During a search of the victim’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered the firearm that had allegedly been “discussed between Jackson and (the victim).”
On December 13, 2023, detectives learned that Jackson had been arrested by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. However, during his arrest, Jackson allegedly fled from deputies in a stolen vehicle while being in possession of a firearm.
A lengthy homicide investigation ensued. In a media release, MCSO stated that “additional investigative techniques, information provided by witnesses, and the collection of DNA evidence” eventually led detectives to identifying Jackson as a suspect in the fatal shooting.
Detectives attempted to interview Jackson on November 14, 2024, but he refused to provide a statement, according to MCSO.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, while in custody at the Marion County Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Jackson was placed under arrest and charged with murder in connection with the fatal Marion Oaks shooting.
Jackson remains in custody at the detention center.