In the late hours of a Sunday evening in Prichard, Alabama, the life of 12-year-old Cletavion Leshawn Smoke was tragically cut short. On August 11, 2024, the young boy suffered a single, fatal gunshot wound at a residence on Snider Drive. The community was left in shock and mourning following the unexpected and violent death of the child.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on a close family member.
Law enforcement identified Cletavion's 16-year-old brother, Jaquavius Hill, as the primary suspect in the case. A warrant was issued for Hill's arrest on a charge of reckless manslaughter, sparking a search for the teenager. In the days that followed, the boys' mother, Leatrice Hill, made a heartfelt public plea, begging her oldest son to surrender to the authorities so he could share his side of the story. She expressed immense grief over the loss of one child and the potential loss of another to the justice system.
After more than a week on the run, Jaquavius Hill turned himself in to the police. Despite his age, he was set to be charged as an adult. During a court appearance, a judge denied bond for the teenager, citing his juvenile record which included a prior probation for possession of a stolen gun. While prosecutors acknowledged the tragic nature of the case for the family, they affirmed their commitment to upholding the law. The family, still grappling with the immense loss, held a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Cletavion, a boy remembered for his love of basketball and video games.
