Laquan Jernigan, a 20-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on October 13, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. Jernigan was in a car with Davion Fountain's ex-partner and another individual when he was shot in the chest. The shooting happened in the 4800 block of West Crystal Street while they were allegedly involved in a drug transaction.
Davion Fountain, a 22-year-old male from Bellwood, was
identified as the shooter. According to prosecutors, Fountain fired three shots from the passenger side window of his car, aiming at his ex-partner during an argument. However, he missed his intended target and struck Laquan Jernigan instead. Initially, Fountain denied being the gunman but later admitted to the shooting. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies corroborated his involvement in the incident.
Fountain's ex-partner, who was present during the shooting, identified him in a photo array and surveillance video from a gas station prior to the incident. The video showed Fountain wearing a distinctive jacket that matched the one seen in the footage of the shooting. Fountain was arrested in Bellwood and charged with the murder of Laquan Jernigan. He was held without bail and had a pending gun case from 2020.
The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago, prompting a special hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee to address the city's escalating violence. The tragic death of Laquan Jernigan underscored the need for effective measures to curb gun-related crimes and ensure justice for victims and their families.
