In the winter of 2020, the life of a young father and performing artist was abruptly cut short in Irvington, New Jersey. On the afternoon of February 20th, 24-year-old Daquan Smith was fatally shot in an apartment on the 400 block of Grove Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 2:00 p.m., leaving behind a grieving family, including his girlfriend and their child who were present in the home at the time of the incident but were unharmed.
The events of that tragic
afternoon unfolded with a knock at the door. When Smith, a former dance student at Newark Arts High School, answered, he was met by an armed individual. In a horrifying moment witnessed by his family, the gunman opened fire without saying a word, striking Smith and causing him to collapse. The suspect then fled the residence. The sound of the gunshot and the ensuing commotion drew the attention of neighbors and responding police officers, who found a scene of chaos and grief.
The investigation into the senseless killing was a joint effort between the Irvington Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of two suspects. Within days of the shooting, authorities announced the arrests of 22-year-old Lakirah Franklin Lewis and her 24-year-old nephew, Lawrence Lewis, both residents of Irvington.
The pair were charged with felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons offenses in connection with Daquan Smith's death. The ongoing investigation continued as the community mourned the loss of a young man known for his artistic talents and his role as a father. The motive for the fatal shooting was not immediately released by law enforcement officials as they proceeded with the case against the accused.
