Dakota Matthew Gene Gordon, 18, died on December 31, 2017, from complications of a gunshot wound suffered two days earlier in Smithfield, Virginia. Police say the shooting occurred during an attempted armed robbery on the 1400 block of South Church Street at about 8:20 p.m. on December 29, 2017; Gavin St. Clair, 19, sustained minor injuries in the same incident.

Investigators identified four people in connection with the crime: one adult and three juveniles. After interviews and witness cooperation, all four were charged with offenses that included 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 juvenile suspect was taken into custody and held at the Tidewater Detention Home on multiple counts, including three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Gordon was remembered as someone who brought laughter to others, who loved music, family and friends, and who had been active in wrestling and football. He was a father, survived by a young son. Does anyone have information about that night or saw activity on South Church Street that evening?