Jayquan Powell

Jayquan L. Powell was a devoted and loving father of four who was focused on his children’s future. His mother, Rosalyn Powell, remembered that their last conversation was about making sure his kids had a good Christmas. Described as someone who was not a bad person at all, the 21-year-old Black male was cherished by his family. His mother said, "My son was my everything," and "everyone knows that my son loved his kids." His cousin, Alicia Brown, mourned his loss deeply, especially since her own son, who was Jayquan's best friend, had also been lost to gun violence years earlier in 2009.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 23, 2014, Jayquan’s life was cut short in a double shooting on Richmond’s Southside. Police were called to the 3200 block of Decatur Street after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found two men on the ground. One man, 38-year-old Randy Smith Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. Jayquan, a resident of Fairfield Avenue, was found with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to VCU Medical Center, but despite the efforts of medical personnel, he died from his injuries later that day. News reports indicated the two men lost their lives after an exchange of gunfire.

The Richmond Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the deaths of both Jayquan Powell and Randy Smith Jr. Investigators followed up on several leads in the wake of the shooting, but no suspects were publicly identified and no arrests have been made. The case remains an open investigation, leaving a family and a community searching for answers and justice.

The week after the shooting, family, friends, and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Jayquan’s memory. It was held on a Saturday evening in the 2300 block of Fairfield Avenue, where tears streamed down the faces of those who came to pay their respects. Holding a photograph of her son, Rosalyn Powell told a reporter, "I'm trying to be strong but it's hard. I'm just overwhelmed that something tragic happened to my son." She expressed gratitude for the community's support, saying, "It's nice to see all these people who are trying to be here with me at this time."

During the vigil, community activist Alicia Rasin called for an end to the violence that had taken another young life. The pain was palpable among relatives. "Our family ain't but so big but what we got left, we are going to hold on to it," said his cousin, Alicia Brown. In a show of support, some people spray-painted messages for Jayquan at the nearby Woodville pool property. While his family did not condone the vandalism, they acknowledged the sentiment behind it and appreciated the gesture of support from the community.

The grief extended beyond Jayquan's immediate family. His name was later mentioned in the obituaries of his great-grandfather, Roosevelt Powell Jr., who passed away in 2021, and his cousin, Jeron D. Lee, who passed away in 2025, memorializing him as a loved and lost family member. These mentions underscore the lasting impact of his death on his extended family. A separate vigil was held for the other victim, Randy Smith Jr., a father of three with another child on the way.

As of the latest reports from November 2014, the investigation into the double homicide of Jayquan Powell and Randy Smith Jr. is ongoing. Authorities have not released any new information regarding potential suspects or a motive in the shooting. The case remains unsolved, and a family continues to wait for justice. Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. They ask that tips be called into Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.