Lawrence Michael Manna Evans, a 17-year-old student and multi-sport athlete at Palatka Junior-Senior High School, was shot on the evening of January 3, 2026. Police were called about 8:35 p.m. to the 2500 block of West Main Street in the Lemon Heights neighborhood, where Lawrence was found with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

A second 17-year-old, Montravien Oxendine, was taken into custody at the scene and has been identified by authorities as the person responsible for the shooting. Oxendine faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon and tampering with evidence and is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Volusia County. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released.

Lawrence’s family includes his parents Jermaine Evans, Sr. and Ashley Floyd, siblings, grandparents and many relatives. His school remembered him for his commitment to football, weightlifting, basketball and track and field, and for strong classroom performance. If anyone in the Palatka area has information about the night of January 3, please come forward.