Police canvass victims' Dale City neighborhood

The parking lot at Dale City’s C.D. Hylton High School filled with cars shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday. Students and parents were wanting to reach out and remember two immensely bright faces in the community who were slain in their home on Friday.

The marquee on the school welcome sign read “Jean and Jim Smith, we miss you already.”

Jean Smith, 39, and her son Jim Smith, 19, were found shot to death Friday.

Smith’s 16-year-old son found his brother’s body just before 3 p.m. when he returned home from Hylton High School, where he is a sophomore.

Jean Smith was a volunteer at the school and president of the Hylton Choir Boosters, an organization tasked with raising money for the choir program.

Jim Smith graduated from the school in 2007 and also was involved in the choir program, as a Troubador — the school’s most honored vocal ensemble group. He also wrestled for Hylton.

In the school’s main office there were tears and hugs as students and teachers embraced, mourning the two lives taken.

“All of my administrators are here today to help out in any way they can,” said Carolyn Custard, the school’s principal.

Counselors and members of a Prince William County crisis team were available to anyone who wanted to talk to them.
Reporters were asked to leave the school grounds.

While family and friends grieved Sunday, police were out canvassing the Smith’s neighborhood.

Detectives walked door to door on Lindendale Road asking neighbors if they heard or saw anything unusual on Friday.

They distributed fliers with the victims’ pictures, asking residents to call Crime Solvers if they have information about the case. They also said a cash reward could be offered.

Concerned neighbors asked police what they could do to protect their families and homes.

“I keep the doors locked and try to look out as much as I can. It’s tough because you don’t know who to look for,” said Roman Scott, 27, of Dale City.

Police are telling residents to keep the doors locked, the lights on and keep watch for anything out the ordinary.

Police said they also would pass out fliers at the nearby Mapledale Plaza and McDonalds, saying those “are popular hangouts.”

Police did not say if the canvassing led to any new information, and have also declined to say if the slayings stemmed from an attempted robbery.

Police said Friday that the mother and son were “low risk victims,” not expected to be involved in any sort of crime.

They are survived by husband and father, Richard Smith, 40, daughter Sarah Smith, 22, a 16-year-old son and another son currently in elementary school.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.