James Smith was a 17-year-old Black male from Stone Mountain who was found shot to death on February 15, 2024, in a wooded area off North Hairston Road near Central Drive in DeKalb County. Neighbors described the scene as an ordinary stretch of woods turned haunting by police tape and patrol lights, and family members gathered at the edge of the site grieving and seeking answers.

Investigators said James had been involved in a dispute with an unknown person or unknown persons on February 13, two days before his body was discovered, and that they believed that earlier conflict was connected to the killing. Initially there were no arrests; police asked the public for information while handling the matter as a homicide. In April 2024 authorities announced a man wanted in connection with James’s shooting had been captured in Florida and was awaiting extradition to DeKalb County. Coverage does not clearly identify the suspect or report any later court outcomes.

If anyone knew James, saw him in the days around February 13–15, or has information about the dispute or the transit to that stretch of woods, please come forward with what was seen or heard.