Devonshay Lofton, a 16-year-old African American boy, was tragically shot and killed on September 18, 2014, in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. Lofton, who was a member of Secretary of State Jesse White's tumbling team, was walking near the 1300 block of North Cleveland Avenue when he was shot multiple times in the back around 9:30 p.m. The shooter, who was on a bicycle, fired several shots, striking Lofton. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Lofton was described as a highly respected and well-mannered young man by those who knew him.
The investigation into Devonshay Lofton's death led to the arrest of Quinton Evans, a 19-year-old man who was on parole for a gun conviction at the time of the shooting. Evans, along with another individual, rode up on bicycles and opened fire with semi-automatic weapons, hitting Lofton in the chest. A police officer in the area heard the shots and began to chase the suspects. During the chase, the officer accidentally shot himself in the foot. Despite this, police were able to track down Evans based on witness accounts.
Quinton Evans was charged with the murder of Devonshay Lofton. During a court hearing, it was revealed that Evans had previously been charged as a juvenile with burglary and aggravated burglary. Prosecutors did not provide a clear motive for the shooting, but Secretary of State Jesse White, who coached Lofton, suggested that the shooting might have been a case of mistaken identity or an act of random violence. Evans was ordered held on $1 million bail.
The case of Devonshay Lofton's murder highlights the tragic impact of gun violence on young lives in Chicago. Despite the arrest and charges brought against Quinton Evans, the loss of Lofton left a deep void in his community, particularly among those who knew him through the Jesse White Tumblers.
