On February 14, 2022, 15-year-old Damien Smith Jr., an African American male, was fatally shot on the 400 block of Ratliff Lane in Memphis. Damien and a small group of teenagers were gathered when an argument began between one of the teens and 38-year-old Marcus D. Orr, who was on the porch of his home. Orr reportedly pulled out a pistol and fired at the group. Three other teens, ages 14, 15, and 17, escaped unharmed; Damien was struck in the back, collapsed near the sidewalk and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Damien’s aunt, Andrea Vaughn, said he was a smart kid who liked to learn and was on his way to an after-school program at the time. Marcus D. Orr, who has a prior aggravated assault conviction, was arrested and later indicted on multiple felony counts including first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder and firearm-related charges; he was held at the Shelby County Jail on $150,000 bond. Anyone who knew Damien or saw what happened that afternoon is asked to come forward with information.