Robert Lee Vaughn III, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was remembered by his loved ones for his warmth and thoughtfulness. Born on July 25, 1980, Robert was 46 years old, and his memory is cherished by the family, friends, and acquaintances who shared time and connection with him. His influence on the lives of those around him was a lasting one, built on shared moments and experiences.
The final moments of Robert’s life unfolded late on a Friday night.
On October 2, 2026, just before midnight, Robert was in the front yard of a home in Pompano Beach. He and another man were gambling with a third individual, identified as 50-year-old Rau Lee Davis Jr. of Margate. The home was located in the 1500 block of Northwest Seventh Avenue, a residential area about four blocks north of Blanche Ely High School. At approximately 11:53 p.m., an argument erupted between the men over the game.
The dispute escalated with shocking speed when Davis allegedly produced a handgun and fired multiple rounds at his two companions. Both Robert and the other man were struck by the gunfire. Neighbors heard the shots, with one person later reporting they heard at least six gunshots ring out in the night. The Broward Sheriff's Office received reports of the shooting and dispatched deputies to the scene.
When deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue arrived, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced Robert Vaughn dead at the scene. The second victim, whose name was not released under Marsy's Law, was transported to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. Investigators noted that Davis fled the area immediately after the shooting.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit secured the property and began their investigation. Detectives spoke with neighbors, but those interviewed said they did not witness the shooting itself, only the sounds of the gunfire and the aftermath. In a strange turn, Rau Lee Davis Jr. later returned to the scene of the crime, where he was identified and taken into custody by detectives.
Davis was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder for the death of Robert Vaughn and one count of attempted second-degree murder for the shooting of the second man. He appeared before a judge on Sunday, October 4, 2026. During the court appearance, Davis was denied bond on the murder charge, though a bond of $500,000 was set for the attempted murder charge. He was booked into the Broward County Main Jail. As of October 2026, the case was proceeding through the court system.
In the days that followed, friends and family mourned the sudden loss of Robert Vaughn. A visitation was held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach, followed by a funeral service at the same location the next day. These services offered a chance for loved ones to gather, share memories, and support one another while remembering a man known for his warmth, whose life was cut short by a sudden act of violence.
