In a senseless act of violence that cut a life short, 24-year-old LaVon Drake II was killed on August 21, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. A hardworking man, Drake was employed as a manager and delivery driver for a local Papa John's. On that tragic evening, he wasn't even scheduled to work but had gone in to help his colleagues. This act of dedication would unfortunately place him in the path of a calculated and cold-blooded crime.
The plan to rob a delivery driver was allegedly
orchestrated by three young men: 18-year-old Jason Epeards, 18-year-old Juwaun Terry, and 19-year-old Jasean Dale. They reportedly placed a pizza order to a vacant house on the east side of the city with the sole intention of robbing the driver. When LaVon Drake arrived with the food, he was lured inside the empty residence. Once inside, he was forced to the ground, shot, and robbed of the pizza and any money he had. An alert neighbor noticed the suspects' suspicious activity and vehicle, jotting down the license plate number, which proved to be a crucial piece of information for law enforcement.
The investigation moved swiftly, and the three suspects were soon apprehended. Jason Epeards, Juwaun Terry, and Jasean Dale were formally charged with murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury. During their initial court appearance, a plea of not guilty was entered on their behalf. The community mourned the loss of Drake, who was remembered by his mother as a loving individual who 'never met someone he didn't love.' A vigil was held in his memory, where family and friends gathered to honor his life.
Ultimately, justice for LaVon Drake II was served in a court of law. All three men were convicted for their roles in the deadly robbery. In a conclusion to the legal proceedings that brought some measure of closure to Drake's grieving family, two of the convicted men were sentenced to serve 60-year prison sentences. The third, Jason Epeards, was also found guilty for his part in the murder and robbery. The tragic end of a young man's life, all for a pizza and a small amount of cash, left a lasting scar on the community and a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
