Even though Donovan Turnage's school is closed for winter break, it reopened Monday for those who loved and knew him to come together and share stories in the auditorium. Donovan's mother and brother were present at the vigil Monday afternoon. His father is still hospitalized after the accident Saturday.
Candles in hand, dozens of students, teachers and parents gathered this afternoon to remember Donovan, a fifth grader at Englewood's Morril Math and Science School. Donovan was killed after a suspected carjacker crashed into the car he was riding in Saturday.
"Our lives are more full that he was here and he spent some of his life with each and every one of us," said Rabbi Joshua Salter.
Donovan, his father and brother were on their way to get their Christmas haircuts when, police say, 34-year-old Rockie Douglas, ran into their Chevy Suburban near the intersection of Garfield and Halsted. Following the crash, police say Douglas exited the stolen vehicle he was driving, and proceeded to carjack a second vehicle at a nearby gas station.
"Before I know it, he was in front of my face, with a gun, pushing me out of the way of my vehicle," said Clinton Banks, carjacking victim.
Police say Douglas, whose last known address is in Beach Park, is still on the run and has since carjacked a third vehicle. At Monday's vigil, one teacher remembered her last conversation with Donovan just this Friday.
"Our classroom won't be the same, we'll miss the laughter. You know, nobody can't crack a joke like him," said Crystal Coleman, teacher.
Donovan's brother made a plea to the person responsible for Donovan's death.
"Just turn yourself in. I already forgive him, I'm at peace with what happened. But I think, he just needs to turn himself in," said Derrick Turnage, victim's brother.
Police say that Rockie Douglas was last seen fleeing westbound on I-88. He may be driving a light blue 2007 Honda Accord.
