On May 14, 2017, two young African American men—Deshawn Johnson, age 23, and Breyon Cowans, age 24—were fatally shot while waiting at a red light in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when a black Chevrolet pulled alongside their vehicle and an assailant opened fire. Deshawn Johnson, a 23-year-old African American male from Broadview, and Breyon Cowans, a 24-year-old African American male from Chicago, both sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Johnson was transported to Loyola Medical Center in critical condition and later pronounced dead, while Cowans was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. Following the shooting, the attackers fled the scene, and their vehicle struck a man in a wheelchair, causing non-life-threatening injuries. As of the latest available reports, no arrests have been made in connection with this case.
Deshawn Johnson was remembered as an extraordinary individual dedicated to making a positive impact in his community. Born on October 18, 1993, to Sheila Johnson and Ronald Jones Jr., he was known for his intelligence, humor, and caring nature. Johnson graduated cum laude from DeVry University with a degree in engineering and had recently begun his career as an environmental engineer. He also had a passion for fashion and music, and his presence was a bright spot in the community. His untimely death was a significant loss to those who knew him.
The tragic deaths of Deshawn Johnson and Breyon Cowans highlight the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago. Despite community efforts and calls for justice, the case remains unsolved, and the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. The lack of arrests underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing such crimes and the importance of continued community engagement and support to combat violence.
