Dante Ontario Jiavonni Williams, a 19-year-old male, was remembered as a bright, loving, and kind young man with a great sense of humor. Born in Carson City, Nevada, on July 27, 2007, Dante was the beloved son of Maggie Baesman and Lamont. Friends and family, who affectionately called him "Tae tae," "Dantelicious," and "tater tot," described him as a ray of sunshine who was deeply devoted to his mother and his entire family.
He was known for his gentle and pure love, his intelligence, and his generous spirit. A fundraising page created after his death noted he was a "bright young man who had his whole life ahead of him."
The shooting that claimed Dante's life occurred late on the night of Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Sparks, Nevada. At about 11:39 p.m., the Sparks Police Department responded to calls reporting gunfire in the 1500 block of Woodhaven Drive, a residential area near the intersection of Baring and Sparks boulevards. Arriving officers discovered Dante with a gunshot wound and immediately began administering emergency medical aid. Paramedics with REMSA arrived shortly after, continued medical treatment, and transported him to Renown Medical Center in Reno. Tragically, Dante died from his injuries at the hospital the next day, September 27, 2026.
As police responded to the shooting, some officers saw a suspected vehicle fleeing the neighborhood and began a pursuit. The vehicle managed to get out of the officers' line of sight before its occupants abandoned the car and fled on foot. An immediate search for the individuals was unsuccessful. Sparks Police detectives took charge of what was now a homicide investigation.
The investigation moved quickly, and within 24 hours, a suspect was identified. With assistance from the Regional Gang Unit and the Regional Crime Suppression Unit, detectives located and apprehended the person they believed was responsible for Dante's death. At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, police arrested 19-year-old Charly Villalobos.
Charly Villalobos was booked into the Washoe County jail on a charge of open murder. According to jail records from the time of his arrest, he was held without bail. Authorities did not immediately release information regarding a possible motive for the shooting or the circumstances that led up to it.
In the aftermath of the devastating loss, Dante's community rallied around his grieving family. A GoFundMe campaign was started by a friend to help Dante's mother cover the unexpected costs of laying him to rest. The organizer asked for prayers and "justice for our baby boy." On memorial pages, loved ones shared memories of Dante's cheerful energy and his deep love for his family, which they said he valued above all else.
The case against Charly Villalobos entered the court system following his arrest. As of late September 2026, the investigation was officially ongoing while the case proceeded through litigation. No further public information regarding specific court dates, a trial, or a verdict has been made available.
