A Michigan man convicted of a sex crime woke up on the day of his sentencing and shot his three children, killing one of them, according to police.
Jeffery Smerer, 44, reportedly said "Good morning" to his children, walked into the bathroom and questioned himself whether he really was going to shoot his children, and then opened fire, The Mirror reported.
Smerer was set to be sentenced on a charge of indecent exposure on Septemeber 11. Police said that on that day he woke up around 6 a.m. and proceeded to shoot and kill his 17-year-old son Kayleb. Two other teenagers, 13-year-old son Bentley and 12-year-old daughter Kinzely, were wounded in the shooting, PEOPLE reported.
Smerer now faces several charges including murder and two counts of assault with intent to murder.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for the family, the children's injuries are severe: "A mother has lost her 17-year-old child in a tragic event. Her 13-year-old son is fighting for recovery with severe injuries to his face, including shattered cheekbones, upper jaw, and nasal area, but is currently breathing on his own. Her 12-year-old daughter, who loved volleyball and dance, will have to undergone facial reconstruction surgery and is now paralyzed from the shoulders down."
Thus far, the page has raised more than $69,000.
Fox 2 reported that police said that Port Huron Police told them that after the shooting, the children's mother and a 20-year-old son were able to wrestle the gun away from Smerer and stop additional violence.
Fox 2 reported that during Smerer's arraignment this week, his attorney noted his client's mental health history and that he had a history of mental health issues. Regardless, Smerer was denied bond and is prohibited from having contact with the surviving family members.
