In the early hours of September 5, 2018, the life of 21-year-old Jaquan Smith was tragically cut short in the Bronx. A construction worker by trade, Smith was brought to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital with a critical gunshot wound to his head. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival.
Investigations into the shooting revealed that the incident occurred less than 20 minutes before he arrived at the hospital, near the intersection of Selwyn
Avenue and East 172nd Street in the Claremont section of the Bronx. The New York Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the homicide.
Within a short period, authorities identified a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting. Seventeen-year-old Lamel Evans was taken into custody. Evans had initially been arrested for an unrelated crime, but detectives were able to link him to Smith's murder. On the same day as the shooting, Lamel Evans was officially charged with murder.
The motive for the shooting remained unclear to investigators. Family and friends of Jaquan Smith described him as a hardworking and non-violent young man. His uncle, David Smith, expressed his profound grief and disbelief, stating that Jaquan was not involved in any violent activities and was focused on his work. The prevailing sentiment among his loved ones was that he was tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. The legal proceedings against Lamel Evans are ongoing as the community and Smith's family continue to seek justice for his death.
