In the early hours of a Friday morning, on August 18, 2017, the life of 22-year-old DuJor S. Simpson, a Black / African American male, was tragically cut short in Davenport, Iowa. At approximately 9:03 a.m., Davenport police were dispatched to the 500 block of West 14th Street following reports of gunfire in the area. Upon their arrival, they discovered Simpson suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was rushed to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
DuJor, known to his loved ones as "Day-Day," was remembered by his family as a protector and someone who could bring a smile to anyone's face. His mother had moved her family from Chicago to the Quad Cities seeking a safer environment, a dream that was shattered by this act of violence. His sisters recalled their close bond, describing him as the light of their lives. Simpson had a history with the law and had recently been paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections in May of that year. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Davenport.
The shooting marked the ninth homicide in Davenport for 2017 and was part of a recent surge in gun violence that had troubled the community. In the week leading up to Simpson's death, there had been at least eight other incidents involving shots fired, which the police chief described as being target-specific and retaliatory. In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement increased patrols in an effort to curb the escalating violence.
Despite the ongoing investigation by Davenport detectives, no arrests have been made in connection with DuJor Simpson's murder. A motive for the shooting has not been publicly released, and no suspects have been identified. His death remains an unsolved homicide, leaving his family and the community still searching for answers and justice. The Davenport Police Department has continued to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case.
