17-year-old boy shot to death in Waukegan

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- A suburban mother is demanding justice after her 17-year-old son was shot to death Friday night in north suburban Waukegan.

Dayviontay Jackson was found dead at the base of a staircase in a common area of a residence in a multiple-unit building in the 400-block of McKinley Avenue around 8:30 p.m., Waukegan police said.

Detectives believe the shooting stemmed from an argument that escalated, and are following up on "numerous leads," police said.

Jackson's mother said he was a member of the ROTC program at Waukegan High School and dreamed of joining the Navy. He wanted to eventually become part of the elite Navy Seals team.

"I'm angry. I'm upset. I want to know more, I want to know what happened," said his mother, Shukeitha Jackson.

Shukeitha said her son left the house Friday evening with a friend. She thought he was fine, until the police contacted her.

"How can somebody come over and do that, and get away with that?" his brother Deontray Jackson asked.

Police said there were several people in the home who apparently witnessed the shooting. Relatives said they believe Dayviontay had an argument with someone who then opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon.

"Right now investigators are following up with many leads. At this time we do believe this was some sort of consensual encounter between the victim and offender," said Cmdr. Joe Florip, Waukegan Police.

"Everybody loved him. I don't understand why would someone hurt him individually?" Deontray asked.

Police said people in the home have given different accounts of who is responsible for the shooting. No arrests have yet been made. Anyone with information should call the Waukegan Police Department tip-line at (847) 360-9001.