Details emerge on Aug. 13 shooting death in Lawton

Out on $75,000 bond for a July robbery charge and wearing an ankle monitor, a 20-year-old man is back behind bars and a second man is wanted for the Aug. 13 shooting death of Daveon J. Smith.

De’Jean Shannon, a.k.a. “Luh Dee,” of Kennedale, Texas, made his initial appearance Monday in Comanche County District Court where he received felony charges of first-degree murder — deliberate intent or, in the alternative, first-degree murder, and use of a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon, records indicate. The murder charge is punishable by life in prison, life without parole or death.

On Tuesday morning, an arrest warrant was issued for a second man, Michael Ramone Epps, 21, for the same charges. 

Smith was at a birthday party at his cousin’s home in the Unit Block of Northwest 29th around 12:40 a.m. Aug. 13 and went to get in his car, along with another cousin had walked to Smith’s parked car. A witness said a gray Jeep pulled up and several gunshots rang out before the Jeep fled. Eleven shell casings were recovered.

Smith, who was struck by five bullets, was taken to a local hospital and later to OU Medical in Oklahoma City for treatment but died shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to the probable cause affidavit. Witnesses identified “D.J.” (Smith) as the shooter and that he was a member of “The Five,” an offshoot gang of the Crips.

During the investigation, Lawton Police Detective Robert Meurant learned Shannon was out on bond for felony charges filed July 11 of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon and that he was wearing a GPS ankle monitor.

A check of Shannon’s location at the time of the shooting was in the Unit Block of Northwest 29th Street, the affidavit states.

Shannon was taken into custody while riding in a car with his mother on Aug. 14 following a traffic stop. He asked for an attorney and declined to speak with police.

The mother, however, did. She said her son had come from their home near Dallas to Lawton to go to the rodeo. She told Meurant that Shannon said Smith and his passenger had shot first before he returned fire, according to the affidavit.

Smith’s passenger, however, told police he’d fired a gunshot that struck the Jeep after Shannon had begun shooting at them.

Investigators later learned of Epps being involved in the incident through a neighboring home’s security video. 

A warrant was also issued Tuesday for a third man, Michael Eugene McKenzie, 23, of Lawton, for a count of accessory after the fact, records indicate. He was identified as the driver of the Jeep.

Smith’s death is the city’s 10th by homicide this year, according to Constitution records. It’s the second connected to “The 5.”

Four teens have been charged in connection with the June 4 shooting death of Sir Daniel Smith, 23. He was shot and killed in the street in the 1100 block of Northwest Smith Avenue.

Dwayne Smith Jr., 15; Demontez Mountain, 17; and Prince Kenneth Larry Krushall, 15; and Curtis Pelham Jr., 15; were each charged as youthful offenders with felony counts of use of a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon.

Smith is scheduled for a Friday preliminary hearing in the case.