Jeffrey Smerer, 44, of Port Huron, Michigan, received a life sentence without parole on Monday after pleading guilty to killing his 17-year-old son and wounding two other children in a 2025 attack.
Smerer carried out the shooting on September 11, 2025, using a .380 handgun inside the family apartment. He killed Kayleb Smerer on the couch and wounded 13-year-old Bentley Smerer and 12-year-old Kinzley Smerer. The attack followed a week of planning tied to stress over a prior indecent exposure conviction.
In court, the surviving children delivered victim impact statements. Kinzley Smerer said her father shot the family "for no reason." Bentley Smerer recalled his father greeting him with "good morning" before firing. The 19-year-old son, who was not targeted, described Kayleb preparing for school moments before the shooting.
Smerer pleaded guilty to open murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, and related charges including felony firearm use. The judge noted the plea avoided a lengthy trial. Smerer's lawyer described the case as the most difficult sentencing hearing he had handled.