Dasean Davis

Dasean Jackie Davis was a beloved father, son, and brother who was known for his friendly and funny personality. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 28, 1993, the 24-year-old Black man was a dedicated family man who was very active in the life of his young son, DaSean J. Davis, Jr. He received his education in the Hickman Mills School District, graduated from Don Bosco in 2011, and went on to study criminal justice at Donnelly College. His family and friends remember him as someone you couldn't say anything bad about. He was a hard worker, employed at Johnson Controls, and primarily focused on his job and his son. He didn't go out often, and had a clean criminal record.

On the night of Friday, July 7, 2017, Dasean had a rare opportunity to go out. He was on layoff from his job and decided to go to the Soul Lounge nightclub in the 9900 block of Holmes Road in south Kansas City to celebrate his uncle's birthday. His uncle, Phillip Adams, later said that if Dasean hadn't been on layoff, he would have been at work that night instead. The evening took a tragic turn in the early hours of Saturday, July 8.

As Dasean was leaving the club at around 12:45 a.m., a disturbance broke out in the parking lot. According to his uncle and the lounge owner, an argument between two women escalated, and gunfire erupted. Dasean was not involved in the altercation and appears to have been an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. He was struck by the gunfire, becoming an unintended victim of the senseless violence. Despite his injuries, Dasean managed to drive himself to a hospital. His family was notified of his death at around 7 a.m. that morning. He was one of two men wounded in the shooting; the other man survived.

The Kansas City Police Department opened a homicide investigation into Dasean's death. His case is listed among the city's unsolved murders. The year 2017 was a particularly violent one for Kansas City, which recorded 150 homicides, a significant increase from previous years. Despite the presence of witnesses in the nightclub parking lot, no arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the shooting. The lack of resolution has left his family grappling with unanswered questions and immense grief.

Dasean's death left a profound void in the lives of his loved ones. His obituary lists his son, DaSean Jr.; his parents, Sean Sr. and Vanessa Davis; his grandparents; numerous brothers and sisters; and his girlfriend, Alicia White, among those who cherish his memory. His son was at home waiting for his father to return on the night he was killed. Funeral services were held on July 22, 2017, at Greater Works International Ministries, and he was interred at Brooking Cemetery.

Years after the shooting, justice for Dasean Davis remains elusive. The investigation is ongoing but is considered a cold case. Law enforcement officials continue to seek information from the public that could help solve the case. Dasean's family and friends are left to remember a man who was devoted to his son and who lost his life in a random act of violence while celebrating a family birthday. His case is a painful reminder of the lasting impact of gun violence on families and communities.