Coral Springs police have charged a 57-year-old man with attempted premeditated murder after a July 15 shooting that left a man injured and exposed a child to gunfire in the Governor’s Walk neighborhood.
The suspect, identified by police as Christopher Jacob Smith, 57, faces multiple felony counts, including attempted premeditated murder, child abuse without great bodily harm, armed robbery and firing a missile into a vehicle, according to the probable cause affidavit.
What police say happened
Coral Springs police and investigative documents indicate the shooting occurred in the afternoon near Atlantic Boulevard and NW 87th Terrace. Officers say the victim and his son drove into the neighborhood to check on the boy’s mother.
- The father and son arrived in a Jeep and stopped near a home; officers say Smith was standing on the grass outside the house.
- The father told investigators Smith stepped into the street and claimed his foot was caught under a Jeep tire.
- Authorities say Smith then produced a handgun from his waistband and fired through the Jeep’s windshield, striking the victim in the shoulder.
- The father ran from the vehicle while his son followed and dialed 911; both were transported for medical attention.
“Christopher had become increasingly jealous of her relationship with (the father of her child) and demanded that she choose between the two men,” police wrote in the affidavit summarizing the woman’s statement.
Police say the son and father first drove to the home because they were concerned about the mother’s wellbeing. The affidavit states Smith had earlier retrieved a gun from his pickup truck intending to confront the father before the shooting occurred.
Charges and local impact
Smith was arrested and charged with the slate of felonies listed in the affidavit. The father was hospitalized for a shoulder wound; investigators noted both the father and his son received medical attention.
| Date | July 15 |
| Location | Governor’s Walk neighborhood (near Atlantic Blvd and NW 87th Terrace) |
| Suspect | Christopher Jacob Smith, 57, Coral Springs |
| Charges | Attempted premeditated murder; child abuse without great bodily harm; armed robbery; firing a missile into a vehicle |
Neighbors and parents in Coral Springs often cite safety as a top concern. An incident with alleged jealousy and gunfire in a residential area underscores ongoing public-safety challenges for the city and law enforcement efforts to reduce violent confrontations.
The Coral Springs Police Department is handling the investigation. Prosecutors will determine formal filings and next steps in court. Residents with information about the incident are asked to contact Coral Springs police.
