Barry Davis Jr

A man dies of a gunshot room in his living room
Barry Anthony Davis Jr., known to his loved ones as "Bubby" or "Poonie," was a man with plans for the future and deep roots in his family and community. The 38-year-old Black man was born in Springfield, Ohio, on September 1, 1974, to Barry A. Davis Sr. and Debra (Howard) Davis. He was a father to four children: two sons, Dylon Colquitt and Shakir Davis, and two daughters, Ciara Paris and Taleyah Davis. By 2012, he was also a proud grandfather to two granddaughters, Jordynn and Madisynn. Friends remembered him as someone who could always make them laugh, a sunshine in their lives who brought joy and support when it was needed most. He had earned a bachelor's degree and a certificate in carpentry and was actively working toward securing a government grant to establish a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding the hungry.

The early morning hours of October 26, 2012, brought a violent end to his life and ambitions. At approximately 1:42 a.m., neighbors on South Race Street heard the sound of gunfire. The Springfield Police Division received 911 calls reporting the shots, and as officers were en route to the residence at 118 South Race Street, they were updated that a man had been shot at that location. Some reports suggested that Davis may have been visiting a relative who lived at the address.

When police arrived, they found Barry Davis Jr. in the living room, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics rushed him to Springfield Regional Medical Center for initial treatment. From there, he was flown by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton due to the severity of his injuries. Despite the efforts of medical teams, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation into the homicide began immediately, led by the Springfield Police Department. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, speaking with residents who reported hearing about five gunshots. At least one witness saw a dark-colored SUV driving away from the alley near the home without its headlights on shortly after the shots were fired. The motive for the shooting was not immediately clear to investigators. While they noted that Davis had a past history of drug-related arrests, they could not confirm if his death was connected to any prior activities. No suspects were immediately identified, and police did not release any specific details about what may have led to the fatal encounter.

In the days following his death, Barry's family gathered to mourn their profound loss. His funeral service was held on November 3, 2012, at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church, and he was laid to rest in Ferncliff Cemetery. He was survived by his parents, his four children and two grandchildren, his two sisters, Nashea Davis and Natiya McFadden IV, and a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close friends who cherished him. In a notice published in the local paper, his family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of prayers, calls, visits, and donations they received during their time of bereavement.

More than a decade later, the murder of Barry Davis Jr. remains unsolved. His case is listed on the Ohio Attorney General's Unsolved Homicides database, a persistent and public reminder that his killer has never been brought to justice. The Springfield Police Department continues to seek assistance from the public, hoping that someone will come forward with the information needed to close the case and provide answers for a family that has waited too long for them. Anyone with information about the homicide of Barry "Divine Allah" Davis Jr. is encouraged to submit a tip to the Springfield Police Division or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.