Darrell Lavinne Smith II was a 16-year-old Lansing student and active church member who died after being shot on the morning of March 31, 2021. Known as Dee, he served as a Junior Deacon and Junior Usher at Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church, played piano and saxophone, sang in the choir, and helped lead prayer. Academically he attended Shabazz Academy through sixth grade and later Sexton High School, where he earned Honor Roll recognition and participated in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, track, robotics club, the Sexton Choir and the marching band.

Smith was shot in the area of Burneway and Seaway drives in southwest Lansing, taken to a local hospital and died that night. His death was one of eight homicides involving teenagers in Lansing that year. An 18-year-old, Deshown Ernesto Clark Jr., was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm possession; a jury found Clark guilty of both charges after a three-day trial in Eaton County Circuit Court, and those convictions carry mandatory prison terms.

If anyone knew Darrell or has information about the shooting near Burneway and Seaway drives, please share what you know.