Do you know who murdered Davierre DeAndre Hale in 2020? Davierre D. Hale was an 18-year-old from Akron, Ohio, who had recently become a father. Born on September 25, 2001, to parents Mark Hale, Jr. and Carita Mollica, Davierre was remembered by his girlfriend as a "legend, a dad, a friend, a son." She described him as a sweetheart who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. He left behind the love of his life, Treazure Youngs, and their newborn son, KaVierre Hale. Davierre, a Black male, was also survived by his parents, several brothers and sisters, grandparents, a great-grandmother, and a host of other relatives and friends who cherished him.
On the evening of Monday, August 17, 2020, Davierre was on his way to see his infant son. At approximately 7:00 p.m., he was sitting inside a silver Nissan near the intersection of McKinley and Talbot avenues in the East Akron neighborhood when an unknown person opened fire. Davierre was struck by multiple bullets.
The shooter then fled the scene in what police described as an older model vehicle, possibly a four-door Ford Focus or Ford Fusion. Several nearby houses were also hit by the gunfire, though no other injuries were reported. First responders rushed Davierre to Summa Akron City Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:38 p.m.
The Akron Police Department launched a homicide investigation, with detectives processing the scene and collecting shell casings as evidence. Davierre’s death was one of two fatal shootings in Akron that night and marked the city’s 32nd homicide in a year that was already experiencing a significant spike in violence. By the end of 2020, Akron would set a record for the number of homicides in a single year. The city was grappling with a surge in gun violence, with officials noting an increase in juveniles involved in gun crimes and a high number of young victims.
In the days following the shooting, Davierre’s grieving family and friends organized a motorcycle rally to honor his memory and raise awareness about the violence affecting Akron's youth. His girlfriend, Treazure Youngs, spoke out, emphasizing that more needed to be done to stop the bloodshed. "It means so much," she said of the community support. "It shows that this person really took somebody that means a lot to a lot of people." The rally was a powerful display of a community in pain, demanding action and an end to the violence that had taken a young father's life.
As of January 2021, no arrests had been announced in connection with Davierre Hale's murder. The case remains unsolved, and the person or persons responsible for his death have not been brought to justice. The Akron Police Department continues to seek information from the public that could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation.
The loss of Davierre Hale has left a permanent void in the lives of his family, especially for his young son who will grow up without his father. His case is a somber reminder of the devastating and lasting impact of gun violence on families and communities. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting of Davierre Hale to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP. Anonymous tips can be made to the Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS or by texting TIPSCO with your information to 274637. 
