CHICAGO – Friday evening, Congressman Danny Davis' grandson Jovan was shot and killed in his Englewood neighborhood when two teenagers entered his home, arguing over gym shoes.
Davis' grandson was at his home in Englewood with an uncle, his 16-year-old sister, 14-year-old brother and 8-year-old brother when two teenage assailants broke into the home and began arguing with Jovan, police and Davis said, the Chicago Tribune reports. The teen's mother had left the home to pick up food.
Police said there was a dispute over gym shoes that turned physical, and one of the invaders then pulled out a gun and shot Davis' grandson in the head, ABC News reports. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Davis spoke with reporters after law enforcement officials spoke with the family Friday night.
"I think it just reinforces a lot of things we already know. There’s an awful lot of people in Chicago who are in need of help, who need help to heal them and share their ideas and personalities," ABC News says Davis told reporters. "There's a need for them to have jobs and employment opportunities and there's a need for young people especially to have more effective instruction.
He added, "We need to improve our schools. We need to make sure that there are enough schools and after-school recreational, job activity to keep young people busy and engaged and all of those things … and his being shot is just simply a manifestation of the tremendous urban crisis that we are facing in Chicago."
