In the late hours of a Friday night, a confrontation between two groups in Auburn, Washington, turned deadly, claiming the life of 16-year-old Xavier Lamont Machi Landry, a Black/African American male. On July 12, 2024, at approximately 10:45 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in the 500 block of A Street Southeast. Upon arrival, they discovered the teenager on the roadway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his upper torso.
First responders immediately performed lifesaving measures, but Xavier was pronounced deceased at the scene. The King County Medical Examiner's Office would later rule his death a homicide.
Shortly after discovering Xavier, authorities found two other male minors who had also been injured in the incident. One had been shot in the arm and the other in the leg. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were subsequently released. A witness reported seeing three young men in ski masks running in the area. Investigators at the scene collected significant evidence, including 19 shell casings and cellphones, pointing to a chaotic encounter. Law enforcement indicated that the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between two groups and that they were exploring the possibility of it being gang-related.
As of late July 2024, no suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting. The Auburn Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward, stating that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community. In the wake of this violence, Xavier’s family is left to grieve a life they describe as a "ray of light." His mother, Lonnisha Landry, and grandparents, Thomas and Marcella Lyons, remember him as a smiling, uplifting presence who mended broken hearts. He was a beloved son, brother, and friend who dreamed of becoming a social worker to help others. His family held a memorial service and a balloon release to honor the boy they called a "shooting star," who was gone too soon but left so much goodness behind. His mother has called for justice for her son and for an end to youth gun violence, hoping that young people will choose to pursue their dreams in Xavier's memory.
