Deputies: Man stabs grandfather multiple times in argument over car

Justin Smith, 24, jailed on charge of aggravated battery, Baker County deputies say

Deputies say Justin Smith was booked into the Baker County jail on a charge of aggravated battery after his grandfather was stabbed multiple times on Tuesday. (Baker County Sheriff's Office)

BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – A 24-year-old man stabbed his 76-year-old grandfather multiple times at a home north of Glen St. Mary on Tuesday during a dispute over a car, according to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office.

Justin Smith is charged with aggravated battery in the stabbing that happened sometime before 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at the home on E.W. Barton Road near Hamp Register Road and County Road 127, deputies said.

According to Smith’s arrest report, he and his grandfather got into an argument over Smith’s mother’s car. The report stated Smith wanted to take the car but his grandfather said no because it wasn’t registered. According to the report, Smith then got a box cutter knife and attacked his grandfather, who was bleeding profusely when deputies arrived. A family friend told News4Jax Smith was the one who called 911.

Deputies said the grandfather was flown to UF Health hospital in Jacksonville. The family friend said he is expected to be OK.

According to the arrest report, Smith, who a family member told News4Jax lived at the home with his grandfather, said he has never gotten along with his grandfather and can’t stand him. The report stated that he told deputies, “I wanted to hurt him more, but I didn’t hurt him bad this time.”

Smith was questioned and then booked into the Baker County jail, where he was being held without bond as of Thursday.

Neighbors told News4Jax they were shocked, saying the remote area with sand roads is typically quiet.


About the Authors

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.

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