David Wayne Lee, 33, died on July 6, 2021, after a violent confrontation at an apartment complex on Evergreen Street in Panama City Beach, Florida. The encounter involved 32-year-old Bay County resident Hunter Howard Smith and an unnamed female friend; authorities say Smith had sold and used narcotics with Lee and the woman earlier that day.

Police say Smith woke up agitated and produced a 9mm handgun. During a struggle for the firearm, Smith discharged it and struck Lee multiple times in the abdomen. Lee was taken to a local hospital and later died of his injuries. No other weapons were found and the female present was unharmed.

Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree murder; he initially claimed self-defense, but investigators reported that the evidence did not support that claim. The death had a deep impact on Lee’s family and friends, who held memorial services.