On May 12, 2017, 17-year-old Dequal Smiley was shot and killed at the Canopy Creek Apartments on Jacksonville's Northside. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 8:30 a.m. that morning. When they arrived, they found Dequal in the parking lot towards the back of the apartment complex, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was quickly transported to a hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported that after the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, which subsequently crashed into multiple cars before the suspect fled on foot. Despite the commotion and the involvement of multiple damaged vehicles, the investigation into Dequal's death has not yet identified any suspects. The police have continued to urge the public to come forward with information that might help solve this case.
This incident has deeply impacted the local community, and advocacy groups like Crime Solvers Central have highlighted Dequal's case as part of their efforts to keep unsolved homicides visible in the hopes of generating new leads. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers to help bring justice to Dequal's family and ensure his case is not forgotten. The investigation remains open, with law enforcement and community members holding out hope for new developments that could bring closure to this tragedy.
