Illinois Congressman’s Teen Grandson Slain Over Sneakers

Gordon Hurd
Illinois Congressman Danny Davis
Rep. Danny Davis (Photo: house.gov)

The grandson of Illinois Rep. Danny Davis was shot and killed this week in what is being reported as an argument over sneakers. Jovan Wilson, only 15 years old, was shot after two other teenagers broke into his home and argued with Wilson over a pair of shoes.

“There was a history between the young people involved, and it was a dispute over gym shoes. This was not random, but was egregious and senseless to use a gun over a fight for clothes,” Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department told the Chicago Tribune.

The slain teen was at home in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago with family when the incident occurred. He is survived by his father, mother, a sister, and two brothers.

The congressman released a statement this weekend:

“What could have prevented this tragedy? Better education, more supervision, after-school activity. Better parenting.

I grieve for my family. I grieve for the young man who pulled the trigger. I grieve for his family, his parents, his friends.”

Davis, a Democrat, was elected to office in 1996 and represents the 7th Congressional District of Illinois. At a press conference, he talked about the ongoing violence in Chicago. “I’ve spoken at many funerals of young people — 14- 15-, 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds — and I guess I always knew that the possibility existed that it could happen close to me.”