Gainesville police arrested an event coordinator Wednesday for attempted murder in connection to a November rap concert shooting.
Jonathan Corey Smith, a 46-year-old known as “Jock Smooth,” of Gainesville, was accused of shooting a fellow promoter in the chest, according to a sworn complaint.
Smith and the other promoter were working at the Boosie Badazz concert Nov. 4 at the Heart of the City Hookah Lounge, at 1221 E University Ave., police said. The two argued about money management during the show.
After the concert, the other promoter went into the hookah lounge, the report said.
At 1:31 a.m., Smith began shooting at the promoter, who fell down, the report said.
Smith continued to shoot at him while he was on the floor, the report said.
The promoter was shot once in the chest and was taken to a hospital. Police said he was released from the hospital the next day.
Witnesses told police the man was “ambushed with shots,” the report said.
The local police union criticized how the department handled the shooting, saying that the department ignored safety concerns leading to the event. Four officers resigned from the SWAT team after the incident, and the team deactivated in November.
In 1995, Smith was charged with attempted murder, having a firearm while being a felon, criminal mischief and aggravated assault, according to court records. He was only sentenced for aggravated assault in 1996.
In 1998, Smith was again charged with attempted murder, according to court staff. The charges were dropped.
Smith remains in the Alachua County Jail in lieu of a $1.25 million bond.
Contact Katherine Wallace-Fernandez at kwallacefernandez@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @katwf98.
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