In 1972, David was the shooting victim of an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Newport News, Va., where he was assistant manager. His body was found by an open safe and cash register from which about $40 was stolen. David died of a single pistol shot to the upper chest area and was the only employee on premises at the time of the 1:30 AM robbery. The store had been held up twice before that year. David had relocated to Newport News in July of 1971 after graduating from the Altoona School of Commerce.

Days later, Tony McNair, 23, of Newport News, and Freddie Windell Gatling, 22, of Hampton, Va., were arrested and jailed for the murder. A judge initially dismissed the charges against McNair and Gatling but a grand jury found there to be sufficient evidence against McNair, and he was then found guilty in the circuit court. McNair reportedly escaped from prison in July of 1972. Gatling was also prosecuted and there was evidence of confessions and prior robberies committed. He was convicted as an accomplice and sentenced to 25 years.