Devon McClyde, a 16-year-old African-American male from Danville, Illinois, tragically lost his life on June 8, 2016. He was shot in the head during a nighttime basketball game at Garfield Park on Danville's east side. The incident occurred as he was leaving a summer basketball league, and he was caught in the crossfire between two gangs. Devon was a random victim of violence, and his death shocked the community.
Following the shooting, more than 500 people gathered at Danville’s
Temple Square for a memorial vigil to remember Devon. Many attendees wore red, his favorite color, and held lit candles while praying and singing "Amazing Grace." The community expressed their frustration and sadness over the violence within the African-American community and called for unity and action against such incidents.
In the aftermath of Devon's death, Dallaz Camareno, a 20-year-old Danville man, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of mob action. He later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Devon's mother expressed her disappointment with the sentencing, believing that justice was not fully served. She felt that Camareno was shooting to kill someone, even if his target was not her son.
The community continued to honor Devon's memory through various events, including a community cookout and a basketball tournament hosted in his honor. These events aimed to bring people together and promote peace, while also serving as a reminder of the need to address and prevent violence in the community.
