In the summer of 2019, the life of 18-year-old Davonta Deon London was tragically cut short in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An African-American male, London's body was discovered on June 26, 2019, in a parking lot at the Perkins Road Community Park, located near Olympia Stadium. The East Baton Rouge Coroner's Office later confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head.
His mother, Lisa London, shared that her son had recently achieved a milestone by earning his GED and was actively working in construction and landscaping.
The investigation into London's death led the Baton Rouge Police Department to a suspect, a 16-year-old male. Due to his age at the time of the alleged crime, his name was not initially released to the public. Investigators believed that the teenager had killed London before leaving his body in the park. The young suspect was set to face charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Further details emerged as the case progressed through the legal system. The suspect was identified as Jah'Marie Street, who was 15 years old at the time of Davonta Deon London's death. In September of that year, a grand jury indicted Street on a charge of second-degree murder. In January 2020, Jah'Marie Street entered a plea of not guilty to the charge. A conviction for second-degree murder could lead to a life sentence without the possibility of parole, though a sentencing hearing would need to consider his youth and other factors. The case was scheduled to continue in court in the following months as the community awaited justice for the untimely death of Davonta Deon London.
