Police seek tips after Henrico 16-year-old killed in apartment shooting

Henrico Police detectives are asking the public for help solving the murder of 16-year-old Dazel Tremaine Smith Jr., who was shot and killed near his apartment two months ago.

Officers were called to the area near Balmoral Avenue and Fernwood Street around 10:40 p.m. on May 30 for a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they found Smith suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith was just a few weeks away from starting his senior year at J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico's West End. He was an only child. Family members said he was a leader who lived his 16 years to the fullest.

He also worked at a McDonald's on Staples Mill Road, within walking distance of the apartment he shared with his mother. His manager, Michelle Menzer, said his work ethic was unmatched and that he was known for always wearing a smile and having a positive attitude.

Detectives have not released details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or any suspect information.

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