Albany Dad Faces Prison After Accidentally Shooting His Daughter

A local man made a decision to protect his family by any means necessary, now it looks like he is about to suffer the consequences for that decision.

Gregorie Smith, of Albany, has a long list of felony offenses that date back to more than 20 years ago. Because Mr. Smith is a convicted felon, the law prohibits him from possessing any type of firearm.

According to Times Union, Mr. Smith says that teenagers were threatening his family throughout the summer with gun violence. On several occasions, local teens shot his house with paintball pellets as well as real bullets. Mr. Smith has five children, and he says that all five of them have been traumatized by the constant threat from local teenagers.

Throughout the summer Mr. Smith called the Albany Police Department for help on several occasions. He showed the officers the bullet holes in his house and the remnants of the paintball pellets which riddled his home.

He and his family pleaded for protection as well as the ability to move into a safer neighborhood. Of course, police officers responded to his home and investigated the shooting incidents, but they could offer no assistance in moving.

The threats became disastrous on the night of June 13. That night the family heard a car riding past their house and Mr. Smith perceived the car as a threat to his family.

Mr. Smith got his handgun and loaded it with the intention of protecting his family. Instead, he accidentally discharged his weapon. When the gun went off, a bullet went through the wall, through a headboard, and into the back of his 17-year-old daughter who was resting in the adjacent room.

Mr. Smith’s daughter was taken to the hospital, and she will be alright, but the consequences for Mr. Smith could be far-reaching.

Mr. Smith acknowledges that he was wrong for having a gun, but explained that his only intention was to protect the people that he loves. He is asking for probation instead of jail time.

Prosecutors have offered Mr. Smith a plea deal that would put him in jail for three to seven years. He has until Friday to make up his mind as to whether he will take the plea deal or not.

What are your thoughts? Do you think the extenuating circumstances should play a role in Mr. Smith’s sentencing?