On October 2, 2023, at about 6:35 p.m., Raleigh police responded to a shooting on the 5100 block of North New Hope Road. Officers found 17-year-old Dontez Lamans Ruffin Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds near the playground at the Lexington on the Green Apartment Homes. He was taken to a local hospital and succumbed to his injuries.

Dontez had recently graduated high school and was remembered by family and neighbors for his vibrant, helpful nature. His mother, Jessica Harris, called him silly with a great personality who would give the shirt off his back for anyone. A candlelight vigil and balloon release drew over a hundred people asking for justice and an end to gun violence.

On October 5, 2023, Raleigh police arrested 23-year-old David Addy and charged him with murder and a misdemeanor count of discharging a firearm within city limits. Addy was held in the Wake County Jail without bond after a judge denied a defense request to reduce bond on the misdemeanor charge. If anyone knew Dontez or has information about the shooting, please come forward.