On a summer night in Denver, Colorado, the life of 17-year-old Davarie Armstrong was tragically cut short by gun violence. A charismatic and athletic Black male, Davarie was a student at South High School where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and track. He had recently celebrated his 17th birthday and was looking forward to his senior year and the prospect of attending a historically Black college or university to play football.
On July 11, 2020, Davarie was at a house party on the 4500 block of Atchison Way. Friends who were with him that night recalled feeling an uneasy energy upon their arrival.
According to his parents, the party was winding down due to the arrival of a group of individuals with guns. An altercation broke out involving one of Davarie's friends and one of the newcomers. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation and check on his friend, Davarie intervened. It was at that moment that another individual pulled out a gun and began shooting. Davarie was struck multiple times. His friends, realizing the ambulance was taking too long, rushed him to the hospital themselves. Despite their efforts, Davarie Armstrong succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, his family was not permitted to see him until after he had passed away.
The death of Davarie Armstrong sent shockwaves through the Denver community, highlighting a surge in youth gun violence in the city. He was one of three minors killed in a single week in July 2020. In the wake of his death, students from South High School gathered to create a memorial with flowers and balloons, sharing memories of their friend and teammate. The Denver Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide and subsequently arrested two individuals in connection with the shooting. While it was confirmed that arrests were made, the specific details and names of the suspects were not widely publicized. His family and community leaders called for an end to the violence that had claimed the life of a promising young man who was described as a leader and a positive influence on those around him.
