Jacob A. Smith, an 80-year-old White man, was shot and killed inside his home on Lick Branch Road in Charleston, West Virginia, on the evening of May 24, 2020. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department responded and found Smith dead after a family altercation that escalated to gunfire.

The shooter was identified as the victim’s 50-year-old son-in-law, who also lived at the Lick Branch Road residence. The son-in-law has said the shooting was an act of self-defense. No immediate arrests were made; the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s office was reviewing the sheriff’s department evidence to decide whether charges would be filed. The investigation into the circumstances of Jacob Smith’s death was ongoing.

If anyone has information about what happened that evening or knew the family, please share details with Kanawha County authorities.