In the early morning hours of August 5, 2020, the life of 31-year-old DeShawn Magett, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Louisville, Kentucky. Police responded to a call of a shooting at approximately 6 a.m. in the 400 block of South 39th Street, near Muhammad Ali Boulevard in the Shawnee neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers discovered Magett, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death was one of three separate fatal shootings that occurred in a violent span of less than nine hours in the city, contributing to a record-breaking year for homicides in Louisville.
The investigation into Magett's murder was launched by the Louisville Metro Police Department and remains a criminal homicide case. However, in the years that have followed, there has been little public information released regarding the circumstances that led to his death. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made, leaving the case unsolved. The lack of resolution has been a source of ongoing pain for his family and community, who are still seeking answers and justice.
Originally from Flint, Michigan, DeShawn had moved to Louisville where he was pursuing a business degree at Jefferson Community College with aspirations of eventually studying engineering. He was a father to a daughter and was remembered as a writer of poetry and music, with a passion for playing the drums. His unsolved murder is a stark reminder of the city's struggle with gun violence and the lasting impact these unresolved cases have on the victims' loved ones. The Louisville Metro Police Department continues to ask anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward.
