MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 14-year-old is facing charges in the December 2023 murder of another teenager, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators identified Kydris Jackson, 14, as the suspect involved in the murder of 19-year-old Griffin Smith. On Dec. 2, 2023, deputies responded to Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala regarding a possible vehicle crash.
Deputies located Smith inside his white pickup truck suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Detectives determined Smith had arranged to meet with Jackson to buy a firearm. During the meeting, Jackson started shooting at Smith's vehicle as he was driving away, deputies say.
Smith's vehicle came to a stop in a tree line where deputies later found him. The firearm that Smith and Jackson arranged to meet over was located inside Smith's vehicle.
On Dec. 13, 2023, detectives learned Jackson was arrested in Alachua County after he fled from deputies in a stolen vehicle and was in possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff's office.
Through witness statements and DNA evidence, investigators determined Jackson was the suspect responsible for Smith's death. Detectives attempted to interview Jackson Nov. 14, 2024, but he refused to provide a statement, according to deputies.
Jackson was charged with second-degree murder while in custody at the Marion County Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
