DURHAM, N.C. — For the Lee family, this Thanksgiving will be marked by grief instead of gratitude. Just weeks ago, their daughter, 29-year-old Davicia Annie Jean Lee, was tragically shot and killed outside a Cook Out in Durham. Now, her father, David Lee, speaks out from his home in Miami, mourning the loss of his “life of the party” daughter and calling for an end to senseless gun violence.
“This is going to be a holiday that we’re not going to be able to enjoy one another because of the pain we feel right now,” Lee shared on the eve of Thanksgiving.
Davicia, a Miami native who had moved to North Carolina for work, was fatally shot last month after an argument outside the Cook Out escalated into violence. According to court documents, she was attempting to disengage and walk away when two men opened fire.
Her father remembers her as a beacon of joy, a woman who loved shoes, shopping, and most of all, spending time with her family.
“She was always joking and laughing,” Lee said. “I’ll miss her smile the most.”
Three individuals have been taken into custody in connection with Davicia’s murder. Two suspects, an 18-year-old and a 23-year-old, face charges of first-degree murder, while a third person faces a misdemeanor charge related to the shooting.
When asked what justice looks like for his family, Lee offered a response rooted in faith and forgiveness.
“They’re just kids, I give them to God. They’re kids!” he said. “It’s senseless. I don’t understand this gun violence.”
Despite his pain, Lee refuses to hold onto hate. Instead, he hopes his daughter’s story can serve as a wake-up call to young people about the devastating impact of gun violence.
“I just wish the young men would understand what they’re getting themselves into with these guns,” he said. “These guns are hurting young people; it’s damaging our future.”
As the Lee family mourns Davicia’s loss this holiday season, they hold onto memories of her laughter, her love, and her vibrant spirit. Through their grief, they hope her story will inspire others to choose peace over violence and help end the cycle of heartbreak caused by senseless shootings.
For more stories on community voices and the impact of gun violence, stay connected to the Bull City Citizen.
