Davion Barron

Davion Barron, a 21-year-old Black man known for his wonderful, outgoing, and silly personality, was a father of two who always made people laugh. Described by loved ones as a humble, down-to-earth person, he worked at McCormick Place and was remembered as an "outstanding person" who became an "Angel for life." Davion attended Harvard Elementary School, Oliver Holmes Elementary, and Tilden Community Academy as he grew up in Chicago.

On the evening of Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Davion was on a porch in the West Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. At approximately 7:15 p.m., in the 2000 block of West 69th Street, a vehicle drove by and someone inside opened fire. Davion was struck in the chest. Paramedics rushed him to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at 8:07 p.m. Another man, 21, was shot in the leg during the same incident and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, no one was taken into custody, and detectives from Area South were assigned to the case. The shooting was part of a wave of gun violence that plagued Chicago that year. In fact, 2016 was one of the city's deadliest years in nearly two decades, with a significant spike in homicides. Davion's name was read in the U.S. Congressional Record on July 5, 2016, along with a long list of other gun violence victims in Chicago from the preceding month, to highlight the urgent need for action to address the epidemic of violence on the nation's streets.

The West Englewood neighborhood where Davion lost his life has long been an area disproportionately affected by violence, often linked to systemic issues and gang conflicts. The year 2016 saw a total of 764 homicides in Chicago, a grim statistic that brought national attention to the city's struggle with gun violence. The deaths of young men like Davion underscored the human cost of this ongoing crisis, leaving families and communities devastated.

No arrests have ever been publicly announced in connection with Davion Barron's murder. His case is one of many that remain unsolved, a painful reality for his family and friends who continue to mourn his loss. Those who knew him lit candles in his memory online, sharing remembrances of a man who was deeply loved.

As of this writing, the investigation into the murder of Davion Barron remains open. His death is a stark reminder of the countless lives cut short by gun violence in Chicago and across the country. Authorities have not released any new information or identified any suspects in the years since the shooting. The case remains cold, and his family is still waiting for justice.