Coy Lacy Jr, 29, of Vallejo, California, was shot and killed on January 13, 2018 while walking the family dog in his neighborhood. He is remembered by family and friends for his positive outlook and a million-dollar smile, and as a loving son, father, brother, and uncle.

Investigators concluded Coy was an innocent victim caught in crossfire during a gang feud. Desean Lamar Johnson, 26, identified as a member of the 200 Westwood gang, was named as the shooter. Two other men, Nickolas James Howland and Steven Tezel Sanderson, were reported to have been involved in the incident. Johnson was charged with voluntary manslaughter; later court proceedings resulted in an 18-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, personal use of a firearm, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and a gang enhancement. Family members delivered emotional victim-impact statements at sentencing.

Coy’s sister Angela Lacy described the family’s profound grief and the void left by his death; their father died six months later. Anyone who knew Coy, his movements that day, or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.