JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man who was shot in Arlington and left for dead more than 30 years ago has new hope in finding those responsible.
Jimmy Smith spoke last month at a city of Jacksonville event during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. But Smith learned something else that day: the state attorney wants to look at his case again.
While arriving home at his Arlington apartment about 32 years ago, Smith’s life changed forever. He was robbed, attacked and shot. He is now paralyzed.
No one was been caught and charged with the crime.
Since the attack, Smith has made major changes in his life. Now with the city’s Disabled Services Division, he offers help, hope and inspiration to others.
Smith said that after he shared his story during last month’s event, he said State Attorney Melissa Nelson gave him new hope.
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“She had mentioned to me that she is going to reopen my case and, hopefully, bring somebody to justice,” Smith said. “That was great news.”
There is not much information about the attack that night. The gunmen were masked, there were vague descriptions, and Smith’s car was stolen and later found burned. There were no fingerprints or clues left.
“Even though I forgive the people who did this, I would still like to see justice served because it was a senseless act of violence that altered my life forever,” Smith said.
Smith said this gives him hope, and even though it’s a cold case, he believes there is a chance it could be solved
“I would like to thank Melissa Nelson for reopening the case because they could easily keep it as a cold case. I thank them for doing that for me, and, hopefully, we can bring someone to justice,” Smith said. “With technology today, I think they can find something. It’s probably a longshot, but I’m grateful they’re going to give it a try.”
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