Desmond Myles Jenkins was an 18-year-old recent Sanderson High School graduate who was fatally shot on August 9, 2019, in the 9400 block of Prince George Lane in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was taken to WakeMed but died of his wounds. Desmond had been planning to attend Vance-Granville Community College to play basketball and was remembered for an infectious smile and positive spirit.

Investigators say Desmond was not the intended target; the shooters were looking for someone they believed had robbed them, and Desmond had no connection to that incident. Two people, Elijah Umelo, 18, and Roland Lacure, 44, were arrested and charged in connection with the killing; both were later convicted and sentenced to life without parole. Family members described the depth of their loss, with his mother Sherri Jenkins grieving her only son and his grandmother Gwen Tyree recalling their last faith-centered conversation.

If anyone knew Desmond or has information about his last movements that could add context to what happened that night, please share what you know.