Vigil held for grandson of US Rep. Danny Davis
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A vigil was held on Tuesday for Javon Wilson, the 15-year-old grandson of Congressman Danny Davis, who was fatally shot on Friday.
Wilson, a sophomore at Perspectives Charter school in the South Loop, was shot in the neck about 6:45 p.m. Friday at his home in the 5600-block of South Princeton, authorities said.
Students released black and white balloons into the sky as they said goodbye to their classmate. Others held candles and offered memories of their friend.
"Hopefully something positive will come from it, maybe it's a program, maybe it's a thought, maybe a young person will be inspired to read more," Davis said.
Wilson's mother was at Davis' side as he told the students about some people who have reached out to offer their condolences. Among them was Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was emotional when speaking about Wilson's death at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
"There is an emergency, in my view," Emanuel said. "What is a child doing with a gun?"
Tariq Harris, 16, and Diajae Banks, 17, were charged with first-degree murder and home invasion two days after Wilson was killed. Both were denied bail.
Cook County Judge James Brown denied bail for the teens, calling them a "grave danger to the community" and denounced their "clear and total callous disregard for the sanctity and precious nature of human life."
Wilson's murder hits home for someone who has spent a political career advocating for gun control laws.
"How do we do enough to change the value system so that every person in our society places a high value system on human life?" Davis said.
Wilson was killed Friday night following a fight that started with a dispute over clothes and shoes. Prosecutors said Banks produced the gun then handed the weapon to Harris, who shot Wilson in the neck.
Wilson's wake will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Carey Tercentenary AME Church at 1448 S. Homan Ave.; followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., according to Davis' spokeswoman Tumia Romero.
