On the evening of Sunday, November 30, 2025, the calm of the 700 block of Lance Drive in Newport News, Virginia, was broken by the sound of gunfire. Around 8:30 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the residential neighborhood near J. Clyde Morris Boulevard following reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Jacari Marzel Oakes, a 15-year-old male, suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
He was immediately transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries as investigators taped off the area to collect evidence and interview potential witnesses about the violence that had erupted near his home.
Jacari fought for his life in the hospital for two days, but he succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. His death sparked an outpouring of grief from his family and the community, with neighbors recalling him as a friendly presence who would often wave to them on his way to school. Born in May 2010, he was remembered by friends and loved ones through candlelight vigils and online tributes as a kind and vibrant student. The tragedy left residents in the area shaken, prompting concerns about safety in a neighborhood that many described as typically quiet.
Detectives quickly mobilized to identify the person responsible, utilizing technological leads and assistance from the community. The investigation led authorities to 24-year-old Jamar Miguel Davis of Newport News. Police, working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service, located and arrested Davis in Hampton. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. In addition to the charges related to the homicide, Davis was also charged with five counts of possession of child pornography, which police clarified were the result of a separate investigation unrelated to the shooting. Police Chief Steve Drew expressed hope that the arrest would help the grieving family begin to heal from their loss.
