On August 18, 2019, 9-year-old Z'Yon Nataevion Person, an African American boy, was tragically killed in Durham, North Carolina. Z'Yon was riding in a car with his aunt, sister, and cousins on their way to get snow cones when the vehicle was targeted in a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred at the intersection of Duke and Leon Streets. Z'Yon was struck in the head by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries.
His 8-year-old cousin, who was also in the car, was injured in the shooting.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. The perpetrators, members of the Eight Trey Gangster Crips, misidentified the car Z'Yon was in as belonging to a rival gang member. The shooters, Antonio Nathaniel Davenport Jr., also known as "Lil Tony," Derrick Lamont Dixon Jr., also known as "Smacc," and Dival Nygee Magwood, also known as "Paco," were all involved in gang-related activities, including drug trafficking and gun violence. The gang members had been seeking revenge after Davenport was assaulted by rival gang members at a mall in Durham days before the shooting.
Following the incident, Davenport, Dixon, and Magwood were arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, felony conspiracy to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious bodily injury, and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle. In July 2022, Davenport and Dixon were convicted of federal murder, gun, and racketeering charges. Both were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in Z'Yon's death. Magwood, who was also involved in the shooting, faced similar charges and was convicted as well.
The tragic death of Z'Yon Person highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Durham and the impact it has on innocent lives. The community mourned the loss of the young boy, who was remembered as a rising fourth grader and football enthusiast. His family continues to honor his memory and advocate for an end to the senseless violence that took his life.
