Lavert Durden, a 28-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on November 16, 2018, in Saint Augustine, Florida. The incident occurred following a heated argument at the intersection of Herbert and Christopher Streets in West Augustine. Despite the passage of time, no arrests have been made in connection with his death, leaving his family in a state of anguish and seeking justice.
Durden's family has been vocal about their frustration with the lack of progress in the
investigation. His mother, April Sherman, has been particularly outspoken, expressing her daily grief and calling for someone to be held accountable for her son's death. The family has organized protests and public appeals to draw attention to the case, hoping to spur action from law enforcement and the community.
Two individuals, Brandon Calloway and Traevon Watson, were named as persons of interest in the case. Calloway is currently serving a prison sentence on an unrelated charge, while Watson is on probation for another case. Despite being identified as persons of interest, neither has been officially charged with Durden's murder. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case, but the lack of concrete evidence and witness cooperation has hindered their efforts.
The tragedy of Lavert Durden's death is compounded by the fact that it occurred on the second anniversary of the unsolved double murder of his cousin, Charles Durden, and Charles' friend, Staffon Larry. Both men were found shot and burned in a vehicle in 2016, and their case remains open. This pattern of violence has left the Durden family reeling, as they cope with multiple losses and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the investigations.
The community of West Augustine has been deeply affected by these events, with calls for an end to the violence and greater attention to the issues of crime and justice in their neighborhood. Lavert Durden's family continues to hold out hope for closure and justice, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in solving these tragic cases.
