Suspects connected to Aug. 13 homicide turn selves in

Two men wanted in connection of the Aug. 13 shooting death of Daveon J. Smith are in custody.

Michael Ramone Epps, 21, and Michael Eugene McKenzie, 23, both of Lawton, voluntarily turned themselves into investigators with the Lawton Police Department ON Thursday, according to Lt. Charles Whittington, LPD information officer. The arrests were made without incident.

Epps was charged Tuesday, along with Monday’s initial court appearance by De’Jean Shannon, a.k.a. “Luh Dee,” of Kennedale, Texas, in Comanche County District Court with 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.

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for McKenzie for a count of accessory after the fact.

Shannon and Epps are accused of shooting Smith around 12:40 a.m. in the Unit Block of Northwest 29th Street while they were in McKenzie’s Jeep. Smith was shot five times and police recovered 11 shell casings.

Smith died seven hours later from his wounds at an Oklahoma City hospital. His is the city’s 10th death by homicide in Lawton this year, according to Constitution records.

Whittington said the investigation into Smith’s death continues.

“The safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority, and we continue to work diligently on this ongoing investigation,” he said. “We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved as we seek to ensure justice and maintain public safety.”