A community mourns
On the evening of May 7, a gray SUV cruised down North Homan Avenue in Chicago, and a hail of gunfire erupted, killing 18‑year‑old Damarion Johnson and his Uber driver, Jassen Cho. Both victims were pronounced dead shortly after the attack, which left the neighborhood reeling.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of support, with a GoFundMe set up by Johnson’s mother, Candace Johnson, quickly gaining traction. As of Thursday, the campaign has raised more than $1,800 toward its $9,000 target, a modest but meaningful milestone for a family already coping with the loss of eight children’s father.
A mother's plea
Candace Johnson’s appeal to the public is simple: “We need help to get through this.” The fundraiser, she says, is not just about money but about ensuring that her children can continue their education and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Donations can be made through the GoFundMe link, and every contribution, large or small, is seen as a step toward healing for a family that has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
As the city mourns, the collective response underscores a broader hope that justice will prevail and that the memory of Damarion Johnson — a talented basketball captain with a bright future — will inspire positive change.