Two men wanted in connection with the shooting death of Daveon J. Smith on August 13 are in custody.
Michael Ramone Epps, 21, and Michael Eugene McKenzie, 23, both of Lawton, volunteered to turn themselves in as investigators to the Lawton Police Department on Thursday, according to Lt. Charles Whittington, public information officer for the LPD. The arrests were made without incident.
Epps was arraigned Tuesday, along with De’Jean Shannon, aka “Luh Dee,” of Kennedale, Texas, on Monday in Comanche County District Court. According to the records, he is charged with first-degree murder – premeditated intent or, alternatively, first-degree murder and using a vehicle to discharge a weapon. The murder charge is punishable by life in prison, life in prison without parole, or death.
On Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued against McKenzie for aiding and abetting the crime.
Shannon and Epps are accused of shooting Smith at about 12:40 a.m. in the Unit Block of Northwest 29th Street while they were sitting in McKenzie’s Jeep. Smith was shot five times and police found 11 shell casings.
Smith died of his injuries seven hours later at an Oklahoma City hospital. This is the 10th homicide death in Lawton this year, according to Constitution records.
Whittington said the investigation into Smith’s death is ongoing.
“The safety and well-being of our community remains our highest priority and we continue to work diligently on this ongoing investigation,” he said. “We appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved as we seek to ensure justice and protect public safety.”