Jhakar Horace Davis, an 18-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 12, 2021, in Asheville, North Carolina. Davis, affectionately known as "Church," was born on April 3, 2003, in Asheville. He was a beloved son, brother, and friend, known for his talent on the football field and his sense of humor. Davis attended Asheville High School and T.C.
Robinson High School, where he was adored by his younger siblings.
On the night of July 12, 2021, Davis was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting outside of 251 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. The suspects fled the scene in a dark SUV before police arrived. Despite the quick response from the Asheville Police Department , Davis was already deceased when officers reached the location. The APD is investigating the possibility of gang involvement in the shooting, as Davis had been involved in a previous incident at Westville Pub.
In the earlier incident on May 29, 2021, Keith Larnel Blair, a 31-year-old African American male, was killed, and two others were injured in a shooting outside Westville Pub in Asheville. Davis was present at the scene and was later arrested on July 8, 2021, for carrying a weapon into an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, going armed to the terror of the people, and discharging a firearm within city limits. He was released on a $60,000 secured bond.
Davis's parents have expressed concerns about the police's handling of the investigation, stating that the media's portrayal of their son as a suspect in the Westville Pub shooting made him a target. They believe that the police's actions and the subsequent media coverage contributed to his death. The APD has acknowledged that Davis and Blair were friends and were likely socializing at the bar before the shooting.
The investigation into Davis's death is ongoing, with the APD continuing to explore potential gang connections and other leads. The community remains shaken by the loss of such a young life, and Davis's family continues to seek justice and answers for their beloved "Church".
