FOUNTAIN, FLORIDA — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has released body camera footage depicting the fatal September 3 shooting of an armed man by a deputy. The video captures a tense and rapidly escalating confrontation that ended after both men exchanged gunfire. The man was identified as Justin Chandler Smith, 45.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The 911 Calls
The event began on the morning of September 3, when dispatchers received multiple 911 calls about a man acting erratically while walking along Webber Road near U.S. Route 231. Callers reported he was armed with a handgun and a magazine-fed shotgun, which some mistook for an assault rifle.
One caller told dispatchers, "I know a car went to turn off Webber just a second ago, and he took the gun off and pointed it at the car as the car was turning."
Another caller recognized Smith from a previous encounter. "This is the same guy that was stalking me at my work yesterday," the caller stated. According to the BCSO, deputies had contacted Smith the previous night regarding a harassment and trespassing complaint, during which he reportedly became agitated.
A Tense Confrontation
Deputy Hunter Jenkins, 27, who has been with the BCSO since August 2022, located Smith on Webber Road. The body camera footage begins with Jenkins and Smith on opposite sides of the patrol vehicle.
Jenkins attempted to de-escalate the situation, addressing Smith by name. Smith, speaking in an agitated manner, questioned how the deputy knew his name and accused him of reaching for his weapon. Jenkins calmly tried to speak with him, asking if Smith knew where he was. Smith gave a confused answer, stating he was in the "Carolina Heights" subdivision, a location over a mile away.
The deputy then asked if he could remove the shotgun slung over Smith's shoulder.
"You worried 'bout it?" Smith replied. "You got a gun, you got two of 'em."
As Jenkins moved closer, Smith became more confrontational, yelling, "Hey I'm telling you, you touch me bro," before lowering his hands and grabbing the handgun holstered on his side.
The Fatal Exchange
At that moment, Deputy Jenkins drew his service weapon, shouting, "don't you touch it." Smith then pulled his handgun from its holster and pointed it at the deputy.
According to sheriff's officials, Smith fired first. Both men discharged their weapons, with Jenkins taking cover behind his vehicle. Smith fell to the ground after being struck but continued to fire at the deputy. Jenkins can be heard on his radio calling, "I need code three now, I got shots fired."
After a second exchange of gunfire, the shooting stopped. The video shows Jenkins cautiously approaching Smith, who was lying face down and unresponsive. The deputy secured both of Smith's weapons before putting on gloves to render emergency medical aid. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services.
The BCSO stated the video was released for transparency and to show the public the life-and-death decisions deputies face. Deputy Jenkins is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the FDLE investigation, which is standard procedure.
