Mother of slain teen remains 'devastated' four months after Marion Oaks shooting
It has been more than four months since Griffin Chase Smith was murdered.
Amy Smith, Griffin's mother, cries when she talks about her son. She said she has been lost without him and wishes he was with her and his siblings.
"My life has changed," she said. "I don't know who I am anymore."
The mother of seven said whoever murdered her son "took away my world."
The shooting
Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies said they were called to what was reported as a traffic crash near the Marion Oaks Community Center at 294 Marion Oaks Lane the afternoon of Dec. 2. When they arrived at the location, they found an individual, later identified as Smith, in a pickup truck. Smith appeared to be the only occupant in the vehicle.
He was taken to a local hospital where he died. Deputies said Smith had been shot multiple times.
Authorities said Smith, 19, was shot close to the Dollar General at 198 Marion Oaks Blvd. After the shooting, he drove approximately a mile to a wood line behind the community center.
Amy Smith said her son went to a car show in Webster. From there, he went to a tire shop in Ocala.
She said she was shopping for her oldest son's wedding scheduled for mid-January when her son's girlfriend texted her and told her to go to the hospital.
Smith's life
Amy Smith said her son was born and raised in Ocala. She said Griffin was her fifth child and that he has three sisters and three brothers. She said her oldest daughter died nearly six years ago.
Growing up, Smith said her son was a kind boy who helped take care of his brothers and sisters. She said her son enjoyed going to church and loved Bible quizzes.
Some of his favorite hobbies included roller skating and fishing. She said his friends loved being around him and respected him.
"He was always there for them," she said.
Smith said her son liked to buy vehicles, fix them and then sell them. Sometimes he would trade the fixed vehicle for another one, she said.
Hoping for a resolution
Smith said her son's story, and a link to Crime Stoppers, are in a book called "The Wings of Our Children," a memorial coloring book that honors the lives of homicide victims.
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With the case still not resolved, Smith said she has taken precautions with her and her family's safety.
In the meantime, Smith said she's hoping the person or persons responsible for her son's death are brought to justice.
Sheriff's Office officials said Smith's investigation is ongoing and that they are following up on leads in the case.
Smith said she misses her son every day and is saddened by his untimely death.
"I miss his smile. He always had a smile on his face. He liked to laugh. I miss his laughter, his voice. I'm devastated," she said.
Anyone with information about Smith's murder can call Detective Daniel Pinder at 352-368-3508 or the Marion County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 352-732-9111. To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP (7867) and reference 23-65 in the tip, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Griffin Chase Smith murdered in Marion County Ocala Marion Oaks
