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.

The mayor's office said in a statement: "The City is actively working with the family of Demarrion Johnson to support their application for funeral assistance through the Emergency Supplemental Victims Fund (ESVF). The family of Jassen Cho is also eligible for support through the ESVF program. Support is being coordinated through ESVF, State Crime Victim Compensation funds, and potential Illinois Department of Human Services resources.

"In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, the City helped connect both families with immediate support through community-based victim services partners Breakthrough Urban Ministries and Chicago Survivors, both of which are funded through ESVF.

"The Johnson administration has worked intentionally to layer City, County, and State resources to ensure families impacted by violent crime can access support as quickly as possible. The City under the leadership of the Johnson administration collaborated with County and State leaders to help establish complementary victim assistance programs mirroring ESVF that expand the overall safety net for survivors and grieving families.

"Additional information about ESVF and partner organizations is available here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/behavioral-health/emergency-supplemental-victims-fund.html."

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

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

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