Jeffery James Smerer: Michigan Father Sentenced to Life for Killing Son, Shooting Two Other Children on Day He Was Due in Court

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A Michigan father has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for shooting his three children, killing his 17-year-old son and wounding the two others.

Jeffery James Smerer learned his fate on Monday, June 29, 2026, nearly ten months after the attack that unfolded inside the family's Port Huron home. 


According to police reports, the shootings took place on September 11, 2025, which was the same day Smerer was supposed to be sentenced for an entirely different crime.

Smerer had been running a daycare out of the family home when he exposed his genitals to a child in their care, leading to a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge. 

He was scheduled to be sentenced for that offense on that fateful day, but instead, he armed himself with a .380 caliber handgun and turned it on his own children.

His first victim was Kayleb Smerer, his 17-year-old son, whom he shot in the back of the head. The teenager had been standing at the kitchen counter with his backpack on, simply waiting for his father to take him to school, when he was shot.

Smerer then shot his 13-year-old son and his 12-year-old daughter, as reported by PEOPLE. 


Jeffery Smerer 


In May, Smerer pleaded guilty to open murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse, and five counts of felony firearm use. 

During that hearing, he admitted the attack was planned, telling the court it was his "intention" to shoot his children.

At his sentencing, a son who was not shot that day addressed the court. He described Kayleb as his father's "favorite son" and recounted how the teen was just standing there ready for school when he was killed. 

He also told the court that his sister, who survived her injuries, had been their father's "second favorite child." 

Smerer wept as his son spoke, then the judge handed down a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, meaning Smerer will die in prison.


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