Dontavis Devon Albury, a 30-year-old African American male from Fort Pierce, Florida, tragically lost his life on January 16, 2014. Albury was a lifelong resident of St. Lucie County and worked as a laborer in the agricultural industry. He was known to his family and friends as a dedicated father and a beloved member of the community.
On the night of January 16, 2014, Dontavis Devon Albury was at a residence on the 400 block of North 18th Street in Fort Pierce when a violent home
invasion occurred. During the robbery, three men entered the home and demanded cash and valuables from the occupants. When the victims were slow to comply, the assailants began shooting. Albury, along with 66-year-old John Solomon, was shot in the chest with a .22-caliber firearm and succumbed to his injuries. A third victim, Percell Derival, was shot in the shoulder but survived the attack.
The investigation into the murders led to the arrest of Shauntavious Ingram, who was 16 years old at the time of the crime. Ingram, along with two other unidentified accomplices, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and home invasion robbery. Witnesses identified Ingram as one of the shooters, and ballistics evidence linked a .22-caliber handgun found during a traffic stop to the crime scene. Despite numerous continuances and delays in the legal proceedings, Ingram eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and one count of burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the murders of Dontavis Devon Albury and John Solomon.
The case highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking down witnesses and gathering evidence over an extended period. The lengthy investigation and prosecution process underscored the complexities of achieving justice in violent crime cases. The community of Fort Pierce mourned the loss of Dontavis Devon Albury, remembering him as a cherished individual whose life was cut short by senseless violence.
