Daijon K. Sistrunk, a 22-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on April 7, 2018, in Rockford, Illinois. Daijon was born on November 15, 1995, and was a beloved son, brother, and father. He attended Ellis Arts Academy, West Middle School, and graduated from Roosevelt High School. He also attended Rock Valley College with the help of two academic scholarships. Daijon was employed by Lowe's Distribution Center in Rockford and had a passion for music, performing at various venues and collaborating with other artists.
On the night of his death, Daijon K. Sistrunk was aboard a party bus rented by Raheem King to celebrate King's birthday. The party bus was initially headed to a casino in Elgin but turned back to Rockford after King received a call from his girlfriend, informing him that their house had been robbed at gunpoint by two masked men. Upon returning to Rockford, King armed himself with a rifle and a handgun and reboarded the bus. An argument ensued, and King opened fire, resulting in the deaths of Daijon K. Sistrunk, Martavies J. Blake, and Sean M. Anderson. Daijon suffered a single gunshot wound.
Raheem King was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of Daijon K. Sistrunk, Martavies J. Blake, and Sean M. Anderson. King was also convicted of armed robbery, aggravated vehicular hijacking, and aggravated unlawful restraint. During the trial, King claimed that he acted in self-defense, believing that the victims were involved in the home invasion and planned to rob him on the bus. However, the court found that King's actions were acts of retribution rather than self-defense. King was ultimately sentenced to natural life in prison without the possibility of parole.
