A soldier stationed at Fort Bragg was fatally shot near the North Carolina army installation on Wednesday, according to officials.
Staff Sergeant Jimmy Smith, 24, was discovered dead from a gunshot wound near Raeford, North Carolina, around 20 miles from Fort Bragg, according to military officials.
According to WRAL’s sources, Smith’s killing appears to be related to a Wednesday domestic-related gunshot involving two other Fort Bragg troops in nearby Harnett County.
Brandon A. Amos-Dixon was arrested for reportedly shooting at his soldier fiancée and her child in a car during the first incident.
A third Fort Bragg soldier was reportedly involved in the event, although authorities did not identify him.
The murder of Smith remains under investigation. On Friday, the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office could not be reached.
Smith was a member of the Fort Bragg-based 3rd Special Forces Group Airborne division.
Smith’s unit stated, “Jimmy was a culinary specialist assigned to Group Support Battalion who was highly respected by his peers, subordinates, and superiors.”
According to the Army Times, Smith was a decorated soldier who had earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Parachutist Badge, and other medals.
In 2016, he joined the Army and served in South Korea. In 2020, he was also sent to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve before landing at Fort Bragg in March of that year.
Spc. Roenice Todd, a fellow soldier in the unit, said in a statement, “Jimmy was more than an NCO; he was a mentor, a shoulder to cry on, a comedian at times, but most importantly a great friend.” It was a privilege to be able to learn from him.
The death of Smith is the latest in a string of unfortunate events for Fort Bragg. The Army Times reported that at least thirteen members of the base are being investigated for possible illegal narcotics use.
Seven soldiers who were the last to see a Fort Bragg paratrooper on a camping trip were arrested a year ago when the severed head of the 21-year-old washed up on the coast.
»Fort Bragg soldier shot and killed near the base«