Mother speaks out after 18-year-old basketball player shot to death on Uber ride in Garfield Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother of an 18-year-old Chicago basketball player who was shot and killed in an Uber on the West Side spoke out on Mother's Day as she mourns her son.

Candace Johnson says her son, 18-year-old Damarion Johnson, never got into trouble, because he spent all of his time in the gym.

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Chicago police said the double fatal shooting happened just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the 200-block of North Homan Avenue in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood.

Johnson's death came just days before he was supposed to commit to a college, with a full-ride basketball scholarship. He spent years with Project sWISH Chicago, a basketball program for inner city youth.

He always knew that ball was what he wanted to do, since he was a baby," Candace Johnson said. "He used to be like, 'Mama, it ain't going to be like this forever.'"

Jassen Cho, 38, was driving the Uber when police say a gray SUV pulled up alongside and opened fire, fatally striking both Cho and Johnson.

Cho was a financial analyst, DePaul University grad and Albany Park native who drove for the rideshare company as a side job and died days before celebrating his one-year anniversary with his girlfriend.

Police have not given a motive behind the shooting, and so far, no arrests have been made. Uber says it is working closely with law enforcement.

"There are no words to describe this tragic loss of life, and our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones during this difficult time," an Uber spokesperson said in a statement. "We're doing everything we can to support police during their investigation, and we hope those responsible are brought to swift justice."

The founder of Project sWISH Chicago told ABC7 the mayor's office has agreed to pay for Damarion Johnson's funeral expenses.

Grief counselors were being made available at Johnson's high school, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep.

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