MARION COUNTY, Florida [Friday, January 8, 2021] – On Friday, January 8, 2021 Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives arrested juvenile LaVonte Jamaal Powell (B/M, DOB: 05/15/2003) for Manslaughter.
MCSO deputies responded to 1676 Northeast 97th St. Rd. in Anthony after receiving a 911 call from Powell stating that juvenile victim Kelsey Lynn Smith (W/F, DOB: 12/20/2003) was unconscious and not breathing. When deputies arrived to what appeared to be an abandoned mobile home, they located Smith inside deceased from a gunshot wound.
During a post Miranda interview with Powell, he stated that he and Smith had been dating for 17-months and had been staying in the mobile home with no electricity. Powell said they were in the bedroom when he began playing with a gun and accidently shot Smith. Powell was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
