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Summary: In Jacksonville, Florida, authorities arrested 33-year-old Michael Ronald Smith Jr. on December 9, 2025, charging him with murder and firearm possession by a felon. He is accused of fatally shooting 51-year-old Craig Philip Caldwell on June 17, 2025, in the 4300 block of Moncrief Road West. After months of investigating surveillance, tips, and forensics, detectives linked Smith to the homicide, which was ruled by torso gunshot. Smith remains jailed without bond as the case proceeds.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 33-year-old man faces murder charges following his arrest this week in connection with the June shooting death of a 51-year-old local resident, bringing closure to a case that had lingered unsolved for nearly six months, authorities announced.
Michael Ronald Smith Jr. was taken into custody on Dec. 9 and charged with murder along with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported. Detectives identified Smith as the individual responsible for fatally shooting Craig Philip Caldwell in the city's northwest side.
The incident occurred on the evening of June 17, when officers responded to reports of a person down in the 4300 block of Moncrief Road West. Upon arrival, they discovered Caldwell unresponsive in the roadway with at least one gunshot wound to the torso. Emergency responders declared him deceased at the scene, and the Duval County Medical Examiner subsequently ruled the death a homicide.
Investigators spent months gathering evidence, including reviewing surveillance footage from area businesses and following up on community tips, before zeroing in on Smith as the shooter. No direct eyewitnesses to the shooting itself came forward initially, though the probe benefited from ballistic analysis and other forensic details that ultimately linked Smith to the crime.
Details on any potential motive or relationship between the two men remain undisclosed as the case heads to court. Smith, barred from possessing guns due to prior felony convictions, remains held without bond pending his next hearing.
Residents in the Moncrief area, long plagued by sporadic gun violence, expressed measured relief at the development. Online discussions tied to sheriff's updates highlighted appreciation for the persistence of homicide detectives amid a backlog of cases, while others lamented the ongoing impact of firearms in neighborhood disputes. Community leaders reiterated pleas for greater investment in conflict resolution and youth outreach to prevent similar losses.
Caldwell's passing drew quiet tributes from those who knew him as a dedicated father and community member. His death marked one of dozens of homicides in Duval County this year, underscoring persistent challenges with violent crime even as overall numbers have trended downward recently.
Prosecutors are preparing to present their case against Smith, with the investigation now shifting focus to courtroom proceedings.
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