Dad told the kids ‘good morning’ before shooting them

Father Who Shot Three of His Own Children Sentenced

Jeffery James Smerer; Kinzley Smerer, Bentley Smerer; Kayleb Smerer. Credit :CourtTV; Gofundme (2)

A Michigan father who was “stressed” over an indecent exposure conviction he received is headed to prison for killing his 17-year-old son and shooting two of his other kids.

Jeffery had reportedly exposed his genitals to a child who was in the care of the daycare his family ran, the outlets reported.

But nothing prepared the family for what happened that morning.

Jeffery 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, CBS News reported.

Jeffery Smerer has been sentenced to*** life in prison without the possibility of parole ***after pleading guilty to a shooting rampage at their home.

The sentencing took place Monday, with the court emphasizing the gravity of his crimes and the irreparable harm caused to his family.

On the day of his attack, Smerer sliced his wrist open and took “multiple forms of medication” that he had stashed in the family’s master bedroom, but was able to stay alive.

Smerer used a .380 handgun to shoot his 17-year-old son, Kayleb Smerer — who died — and two of the boy’s siblings, 13-year-old Bentley Smerer and 12-year-old Kinzley, who suffered critical injuries and may be in a wheelchair for life.

When it came time to take his own life, Smerer claimed his pistol “jammed.” He was disarmed by his wife and 19-year-old son, who were awake and home at the time.

He told cops that he had been planning a murder-suicide for a week before attempting to carry it out.

Speaking directly to his father, the 13-year-old said, “You deserve everything coming to you.”

The 19-year-old said in court that Kayleb was Smerer’s “favorite” child, so it made his death even more shocking.

“He (Kayleb) just woke up like every other morning, got ready for school, watched his TikTok, doing whatever,” the son said. “He was on the couch with his backpack on, waiting for his dad to take them to school, and he(the dad) was able to go up to him, point a gun at him, and pull the trigger.”

One of the children who was shot told the court, “The first thing he said to me was, ‘Good morning.’ I didn’t know a ‘good morning’ was shooting me in the face.”

Speaking directly to his father, the 13-year-old added, “You deserve everything coming to you. You can cry all you want, it won’t change a thing. You crippled my sister, you killed my brother. Your own children that you loved your entire life — just to kill. You deserve everything coming to you.”

“Your honor, this is without question the most difficult sentencing hearing I have participated in,” Smerer’s lawyer told the judge on Monday. “Nothing that can be said today diminishes the horror of what occurred. One child lost his life. Two children suffered catastrophic injuries, one of whom may live the remainder of her life confined to a wheelchair. A family has been forever shattered. There simply are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of that loss. Mr. Smerer understands that. More importantly, he has accepted responsibility for it.”

The defense argued that Smerer’s deteriorating mental health, depression, and anxiety contributed to the crime, though the court stressed that these factors did not excuse his actions.

The case highlights the devastating impact of untreated mental health issues and the narrow legal standards for insanity defenses.

While experts concluded Smerer was legally sane, his family described his actions as the result of a “psychotic break.”

Ultimately, the court emphasized accountability, noting that Smerer made deliberate choices to harm his children.

The sentence reflects both the severity of the crime and the need to protect the community.

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