In the heart of winter, a life was suddenly and violently cut short in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Xavier Claude King, a 32-year-old African American man, was fatally shot on the evening of Sunday, January 16, 2022. Known affectionately to his loved ones as 'Junior,' King was a man described as having a 'King-sized heart' and a 'regal confidence' that could light up any room. He was a son, brother, uncle, and friend, who worked as a roofer and was known for his love of adventure, travel, and sports.
The tragic events unfolded at Bill's Café, located on the 2300 block of Derry Street. At approximately 8 p.m., police were called to the scene following reports of gunfire. Inside, they discovered Xavier King, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The senseless act of violence that ended his life was captured on the establishment's security cameras, providing investigators with a clear view of the final moments. The footage showed a man walk into the bar, approach King, and tap him on the shoulder. After appearing to confirm King's identity, the man pulled out a handgun and shot him in the back multiple times.
The investigation swiftly led to a suspect. Police identified the alleged shooter as 34-year-old Shawn Cornell Davenport Jr. of Harrisburg. Investigators were able to recognize Davenport from the surveillance footage, and his parole officer almost immediately confirmed his identity after viewing the video. Two days after the shooting, on the evening of Tuesday, January 18, police located and arrested Davenport on Ivy Lane in Harrisburg.
Following his arrest, Shawn Davenport Jr. was charged with first-degree murder, various firearms violations, and recklessly endangering another person. He was subsequently held in the Dauphin County Prison without the possibility of bail, as is standard for homicide charges in Pennsylvania. The case was set for a preliminary hearing later that month. While an arrest was made, the investigation into the shooting that claimed the life of Xavier King remained ongoing, as authorities continued to seek any additional information from the public regarding the incident.
