Davion D. Smith was a 14-year-old African American boy from Lakeland, Florida, who was shot multiple times during a gun battle on August 6, 2014. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and died there later that evening after efforts to save him failed. The shooting happened around 8:25 p.m., and investigators concluded Davion was an unintended victim caught in crossfire.

The Lakeland Police Department opened an extensive investigation but ran into obstacles when witnesses and members of the community did not cooperate. Several people were arrested on charges that included illegal possession of firearms and alleged gang-related activity, and multiple court cases followed focusing on broader criminal conduct. Those proceedings did not produce a conclusive resolution directly tying the arrested individuals to Davion’s death.

Davion’s killing prompted renewed attention in Lakeland to gun violence and gang activity and had a deep effect on his family and community. If anyone has information about the shooting or knew Davion, please come forward and share what could help the investigation.