In a tragic incident on Chicago’s West Side, Damarion Johnson, a promising 18-year-old basketball player, and Jassen Cho, a 38-year-old part-time rideshare driver, lost their lives in a shooting.
Speaking on Mother’s Day, Candace Johnson, the grieving mother of Damarion, shared memories of her son, emphasizing how he dedicated his life to basketball and stayed out of trouble by spending countless hours in the gym.
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The shooting took place just before 8:30 p.m. on Thursday in the 200 block of North Homan Avenue, situated in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood, according to the city’s police department.
Damarion’s untimely death occurred mere days before he was set to commit to a college on a full basketball scholarship. He had honed his skills and future prospects by participating in Project sWISH Chicago, a program aimed at supporting inner-city youth through basketball.
“Basketball was his passion from a young age,” Candace recalled. “He often told me, ‘Mama, it won’t always be like this.'”
Jassen Cho, 38, was driving the Uber when police say a gray SUV pulled up alongside and opened fire, fatally striking both Cho and Johnson.
Cho was a financial analyst, DePaul University grad and Albany Park native who drove for the rideshare company as a side job and died days before celebrating his one-year anniversary with his girlfriend.
Police have not given a motive behind the shooting, and so far, no arrests have been made. Uber says it is working closely with law enforcement.
“There are no words to describe this tragic loss of life, and our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones during this difficult time,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re doing everything we can to support police during their investigation, and we hope those responsible are brought to swift justice.”
The founder of Project sWISH Chicago told ABC7 the mayor’s office has agreed to pay for Damarion Johnson’s funeral expenses.
Grief counselors were being made available at Johnson’s high school, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep.
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