Port Huron, MI – A Port Huron father has been bound over to circuit court after chilling testimony revealed how he allegedly plotted for a week to attack his own children on the morning of his sentencing in a separate case.
Jeffrey Smerer, 44, is accused of fatally shooting his 17-year-old son Kayleb and critically injuring his younger children, 13-year-old Bentley and 12-year-old Kinzley, inside the family’s apartment on September 11.
The Victims
• Kayleb Smerer, 17 – killed while on the couch in the living room.
• Bentley Smerer, 13 – survived but suffered severe facial fractures.
• Kinzley Smerer, 12 – left paralyzed from the neck down after a bullet lodged in her spine. She has also undergone facial reconstruction surgery, according to the family’s GoFundMe.
How the Morning Played Out
At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, September 30, Detective Grafton Sharp of the Port Huron Police Department testified that Smerer admitted he:
• Set his alarm for 6 a.m., retrieved a .380 pistol from a safe under his bed, and went into his children’s bedroom.
• Allegedly greeted them with a calm “good morning” before stepping into the bathroom, where he looked in the mirror and questioned whether he was really going to go through with it.
• Returned moments later and opened fire, first targeting Bentley, who was under a blanket on his phone, and then Kinzley, who was getting out of bed.
• Walked into the living room where Kayleb was on the couch and allegedly aimed at his head, killing him.
Suicide Attempt and Intervention
After the shootings, prosecutors say Smerer’s pistol jammed. He then cut his wrist and ingested multiple medications in an attempt to take his own life. He was ultimately disarmed by his wife and 20-year-old son, who were home at the time.
Stated Motive
According to police testimony, Smerer told investigators he was “stressed” about his court sentencing in an unrelated indecent exposure case and feared going to jail. He admitted he began planning the attack about a week earlier, explaining he was “closest” to Kinzley and Kayleb, and that Kinzley had a strong bond with Bentley.
Charges & Possible Penalties
• Open murder – punishable by life in prison without parole
• Two counts of assault with intent to murder – each carries up to life in prison
• Two counts of first-degree child abuse – each carries up to life in prison
• Five counts of felony firearm – each carries a mandatory 2 years in prison, served consecutively to any other sentence
Smerer was denied bond and ordered to have no contact with his surviving children.
