Four details stand out in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Damarion Jakes. He was found early on August 5, 2023 after a ShotSpotter activation in the 2700 block of West Van Buren Street in East Garfield Park; officers discovered a boy in his early teens with multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the head. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead there on August 7, 2023.

Damarion’s family described him as caring and responsible. His mother, Brittany Benson, who is visually impaired, relied on him for daily help, and he also cared for two younger brothers. He had attended Lawndale Community Academy and was due to start at Wells Community Academy in the fall, and he hoped to play basketball professionally and pursue rapping. Reverend Paul Jakes Jr., Damarion’s cousin and pastor at New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the suspect or suspects. Anyone with tips is asked to call 773-533-9940.

Does anyone in the community remember seeing Damarion or anything unusual in the West Van Buren Street area that morning?