In the crisp autumn air of November 2020, the life of 18-year-old Davion Marquis Scarborough, a Black male from Bridgeton, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. Known for his love of dirt bikes and a heart that belied his small stature, Davion was a cherished son, brother, and friend who had a gift for making everyone around him feel like family. His warm presence was extinguished on the night of November 6th, a loss that would soon ripple through his community.
Three days later, on the
evening of November 9th, the grim discovery of his body was made in a field near the intersection of South Burlington Road and Pamphylia Avenue in his hometown. Responding to reports of gunshots, Bridgeton Police Department officers found Davion, who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving his loved ones to grapple with the sudden and violent end to a young life full of promise.
The investigation into Davion's death, a joint effort by the Bridgeton Police Department's Detective Bureau and the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office's Major Crimes Unit, began to unravel the final hours of his life. It was determined that he was last seen leaving the Burlington Manor apartment complex in the company of two men, 23-year-old Yusuf Waites and 25-year-old Jerry Crawford. Authorities believe that an altercation occurred after the three walked to the nearby field, which ultimately led to Davion being fatally shot.
In a significant development, both Yusuf Waites and Jerry Crawford were later arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The two men were taken into custody and held at the Cumberland County Jail to await a detention hearing. The case drew additional attention due to the fact that Jerry Crawford had been released from prison just days before the murder as part of a public health emergency credit program related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the charges against Waites and Crawford represent a step towards justice, the community continues to mourn the senseless loss of a young man remembered for his kindness and the joy he brought to those who knew him.
