Gerald "Pookie" Levy was an athletic and charming 17-year-old with a smile that could light up a room. A student at McKinley Senior High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he was a talented and dedicated track athlete with the U.S. Express Track Club, where he had been developing his skills for three years. He was remembered by a coach as a pleasure to work with. A Black young man with a bright future, Gerald was deeply loved by his mother, Latoya Howard, his father, Gerald D. Levy, and a large circle of grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, teammates, and friends who cherished his funny and vibrant personality.
The evening of Friday, February 19, 2016, ended that future in a sudden and tragic moment. Just before 10 p.m., Gerald was with an acquaintance, 20-year-old Byron Davore, at a home on Tennessee Street in an area of Old South Baton Rouge. The interaction took a fatal turn when Davore, while reportedly on a FaceTime video call with friends, was handling a gun.
The firearm discharged, and the bullet struck Gerald. Emergency services were called, and Gerald was rushed to a local hospital, but the single gunshot wound proved to be fatal.
The Baton Rouge Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. Detectives determined that the incident was not a malicious act but a devastating case of recklessness. Their investigation led to the arrest of Byron Davore, who was subsequently taken into custody. Based on the evidence and witness accounts of the events that transpired during the video call, Davore was charged with negligent homicide for his role in Gerald's death. The case highlighted the catastrophic consequences of mishandling firearms.
In the days following the tragedy, Gerald's family and community gathered to mourn their profound loss. A viewing was held on February 26 at the Bible World Christian Center, followed by a candlelight vigil at East Polk Street Park, where loved ones shared memories and comforted one another. His funeral service took place the next day, a celebration of a life well lived but cut painfully short. His family remembered the joyful times they shared with him, holding onto the memories of the amazing young man they had lost.
The legal proceedings against Byron Davore commenced following his arrest. The charge of negligent homicide underscored the authorities' view that while the shooting may not have been intentional, it was the result of a criminally irresponsible act. The case entered the East Baton Rouge Parish court system, forever linking two young lives by a single, thoughtless moment. As of the latest available information, the final disposition of the negligent homicide charge against Byron Davore is not publicly documented. The community was left to grapple with the loss of a promising young athlete and the stark reminder of gun safety's importance.
