Tony Smith, a 66-year-old security guard at Oakland City Hall, was found dead inside his car on September 14, 2016. His vehicle was parked on the 1200 block of 35th Avenue near International Boulevard; responders first thought he was asleep but discovered he had been fatally shot. The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m., and it took more than 20 minutes before someone called 911. Firefighters found Smith unresponsive with his hazard lights on, suggesting he tried to signal for help after being wounded.

Investigators treated the death as the result of a robbery gone wrong. Authorities identified 29-year-old Lee Jackson IV as the primary suspect, saying he acted with an acquaintance and a woman who was allegedly working as his prostitute. Jackson was stopped days later in Davis, California, and officers recovered a Ruger 9mm handgun that was identified as the murder weapon. A palm print on Smith’s car matched Jackson, cell tower records placed him nearby, and surveillance video showed Jackson telling the woman to take blame for the gun. The woman later recanted on the witness stand, and the defense argued the case was circumstantial.

Anyone who knew Tony Smith, saw him that morning, or has information about the people involved is asked to come forward.