In the small city of Palatka, Florida, a community is grappling with the loss of 17-year-old Lawrence Michael Manna Evans, a Black male whose life was cut short by gunfire on a Saturday evening. On January 3, 2026, police responded to a call at approximately 8:35 p.m. in the 2500 block of West Main Street, within the Lemon Heights neighborhood. There they discovered Lawrence suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was rushed to a hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Lawrence was a student at Palatka Junior-Senior High School, where he was known as a dedicated athlete. He was an active participant in multiple sports, including football, weightlifting, basketball, and track and field. His school community remembered him as a star not only in sports but also in the classroom, and they mourned the tragic and premature end to a promising young life. His family and friends recall a vibrant young man with a passion for teamwork and a joyful spirit that touched many.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, another 17-year-old, Montravien Oxendine, was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities have identified him as the individual responsible for the shooting. Oxendine is facing charges of carrying a concealed weapon and tampering with evidence. He is currently being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Volusia County. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lawrence Evans's death is ongoing, and police have not released further details.
The community has come together to remember Lawrence, with services planned to honor his memory. His family, including his parents Jermaine Evans, Sr. and Ashley Floyd, along with numerous siblings, grandparents, and a wide circle of relatives and friends, are left to mourn the profound loss of a young life filled with potential.
