In the quiet town of Smithfield, Virginia, the life of 18-year-old Dakota Matthew Gene Gordon was cut tragically short at the end of 2017. The young man, a former member of the Smithfield High School JROTC with aspirations of joining the Marines, passed away on December 31, 2017. His death was the result of complications from a gunshot wound he sustained two days earlier.
The series of events leading to Gordon's death began on the evening of December 29, 2017.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., police responded to a call on the 1400 block of South Church Street. Upon arrival, they discovered that an attempted armed robbery had taken place. Gordon had been shot in the stomach, and another individual, 19-year-old Gavin St. Clair, had suffered minor injuries in the incident. Gordon was rushed to Riverside Hospital for emergency surgery, but tragically succumbed to his injuries two days later.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement identified four individuals in connection with the crime: one adult and three juveniles. Following extensive interviews and collaboration with witnesses, all four were charged with a range of serious offenses, including homicide, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, malicious wounding, and brandishing a firearm. On January 10, one of the juvenile suspects was taken into custody and charged with multiple counts, including three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was subsequently held at the Tidewater Detention Home.
Dakota Gordon was remembered as a beloved individual who brought laughter to many. He had a passion for music and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In his younger years, he was active in wrestling and football. He was a father, leaving behind a young son.
