Dovon Harris, 15, continued.

 

(Left, Dovon's father, four days after the youngster was shot in the head, and two days after his organs were harvested and he was taken off life support. Dewayne Harris spoke only a few sentences about his son. He teared up and cut short the interview to go outside and smoke a cigarette. He hadn't slept, he said. "It's a real rough situation," he said, between long pauses, and deep breaths. "I'm trying to keep it together.")

At the hospital, Barbara Pritchett corralled the LAPD detective who would be handling the case of her son Dovon's murder."I didn't want him to be labeled with just a name and a number," Pritchett said.

Dovon, 15, was still on life support after being shot last Thursday in Watts, and would remain on life support several days so that his organs could be donated. "I want you to meet him," Pritchett recalled telling Det. John Skaggs of LAPD's Southeast Division.

The 10th-grader at Centennial High School had been struck by a bullet east of South Central Avenue on 114th Street in Watts late in the afternoon as he headed home from an end-of-school-year gathering with friends. A girl from his group had quarrelled with a girl from another group, and things had escalated. Harris and his friends got on an MTA bus. But some black men or youths followed the bus in a car. When the Harris and his friends got off the bus, one of their pursuers fired, and Harris was struck. "Gunned down like he was nobody," his mother said.

During the days that the parents kept a vigil at UCLA-Harbor Medical Center, a stream of people came to see Dovon--friends, family members, 11 teachers and administrators from Centennial High,  Pritchett said. Over and over they asked Pritchett why there had been no news coverage of the murder. "It's unfair to see a kid like this when all they talk about on the news is Paris Hilton," they said. "That's OK," Pritchett said over and over. "We know what Dovon was."

But when Skaggs came along, Pritchett was determined to rescue Dovon from the anonymity of being just another case--another 15-year-old black youth shot in a drive-by. She brought Skaggs to Dovon's bedside. Her son lay brain-dead, on a ventilator, his body swollen by fluids, kept alive only long enough to donate six of his organs to six people.  "I want you to see his face," she told Skaggs.

(Above, friends and family write notes at Dovon's shrine next to the Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts.)

Comments

[Ian M.]

Being a 15 year-old young male, I must admit that stories like these send a chill up my spine. It's classic male ego to think you are invincible, powerful, and immune to the bullets of gang members. "They won't shoot me," you think. But you thought wrong.

The fact that this problem is so prevalent raises so many questions for me. Why do kids become gang members? Why do they kill with impunity, even when they know that killing is not only morally wrong, but for the selfish, a dangerous act which makes one a potential prisoner on death row? Why are the crime fighters who are investigating gangs not successful, it seems? Why are we spending billions on a war to "protect us" when we don't seem safe at home.

Search me; I don't really know.

[Ms. Kecia]

I have a 14 year old son, and reading this has me scared to death. I know that I can't hold on to my son all the time, but to let him out of my sight to get skate board or just to go to the corner market is trying for me. I pray for this mother and father......

[Belinda]

This city's protection is no protection, our children are like hunted animals. These gang members are evil and their intentions are to go out and commit crimes against innocent people. The mayor, the chiefs of police, the governor, the president they should be all held responsible for the acts of violence in our country, do! something and stop talking trash. I blame our community as well, we must stick together as a community in order to make a difference, when we see crime report it immediately to the police department before someone gets killed or, hurt. I moved here in 2003 from New Orleans and I have never seen so many parents burying their children like I see here in Los Angeles; matter of fact, I never knew one parent in New Orleans that lost a child to murder. I also buried my son here, he was killed June 2004 by a 15 year old gangbanger (Crip). My son didn't know anything about gangbangers and their activties, I tried my hardest to school him. He was young and fearless. He said, "why should I fear man all he can do is take my flesh and the rest goes to God, who is my protector". Why? must we live like this, our race of people is disappearing (dieing) everyday for nothing. It seems like a war zone here in Los Angeles but, a war our children didn't even enlist in, this street war is not ours. I would to say this to all gang bangers," keep our children's lives out of your mess & the war that you created". How can you go around killing peope who are unarmed and cause no threat to you (gang members)? If you want to kill someone, kill yourself and you'd be a lot better off. STOP THE KILLING! STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE!

[J WRIGHT]

I AM 26 I LIVE IN CO. I JUST HAPPENED UPON THIS SECTION OF THE NEWSPAPER TODAY AND WAS AMAZED AT THE AMOUT OF SENCELESS MURDERS OF YOUNG, VERY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I AM A NEW MOTHER MY SON IS 2 MONTHS OLD, AND I SEEN AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE MURDER OF A 2 MONTH OLD BABY. ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY. TO THINK THAT WE ARE LOOSING OUR CHILDREN IN MASS AMOUNTS TO GUNS, AND KNIVES. OVER THE COLOR RED AND BLUE, AND IN SOME CASES LESS THAN THAT. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO ALL THE PARENTS OF THESE VICTIMS. GOD BLESS YOU MAY YOU FIND THE STRENGHT THAT WILL KEEP YOU GOING. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STOP TAKING EACH OTHERS LIVES OVER PETTINESS. SILLINESS. THIS HAS TO STOP. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU THAT ARE GRIEVING.

[Janelle V.]

Times are changing...

There's not a day that I am not reminded about the cruel world we live in today. It's not fair. I'm only 18, and for a long time my childhood was focused on "am I gonna live another day" it's like im living just to die & i honestly do feel like that. Kids who had been my classmates are no longer here, and why??? Because of unnecessary violence. It seems as though we have lost patients with people. Why is our generation so angry? Why is it that "we" feel we need people to fear us? Is it because "we're" afraid? is it because all of our lives "we've" been pushed around? Is it because "we" feel oppressed & our solution is to fight back with violence?
But, what we do have to keep in mind is that most homicides occur in cities with poor economic state. Such as Watts, South Central, Compton, etc. These people especially fear for their lives every minute of the day.

So, why is the homicide rate higher in poor neighborhoods?
I have seen many documentaries on gangs in L.A. and in every documentary money and respect is always an issue. Many of the teens who join gangs, join because they want to feel accepted and in some way "cared" for, as well as feeling safe. They feel that because they are in a gang they WILL be respected & to some extent that can be true. But it doesn't give them the right to rob someone of their life. Most youngsters commiting these crimes have had rough childhoods, having to see things that can damage your way of thinking. Kind of like a monkey see, monkey do type of thing. They see their elders kill, and they do the same because that is what they know. They may feel killing is a way to cope with pain they're feeling inside. Still though, it doesnt justify their actions. And my heart goes out to all the people who have lost their loved ones to the never ending battles of "the hood".

[Mike Johnson]

I would like to extend my most deepest sympathy to the family of Davon Harris. I just sit somedays here in Nashville Tennessee and wonder when can we get a grip if ever on all this unnecessary violence. Though they don't see when they are out power tripping, but think about it. Do you know that the life of the future doctor who cures som of the world's most devastating dieases could have been the one that was shot for nothing at all? Sad thing is they don't think about that as they pull the trigger. Gone are the days when disputes as kids was solved with a few little fist thrown and all was forgotten the next day. Now, it's as if the only way I truly get my point across is to take your life. It's all got to stop. But how?

[Kevin Germany]

I grew up with Davon's family they are like family to me. I have lost many friends to gun violence, I have been to so many funeral I lost track I just quit going. Davon's death is a wake up call I grew up with his mother and father, I have little kiids.

Davon did not do anything wrong, and to say he was in the wrong place is almost saying it's okay to gun a person down for no reaaon. To say people have emotions of rage is ridicoulous, everyone has there own opinion.

He was shot to prove a point, to show that somebody thought they had power, he was caught let's see how much respect he gets from the homies now, within 1 year they will forget who he was, and we are not going to let that happen to Davon Harris you will alway be remembered.

[Kristen Germany]

I have been friends with Davon's mother for over 25 years, this was a sensless murder blacks have declared war on each other for the longest time, IT IS TIME TO STOP. he was a baby, our youth are being slaughtered like animals hunted like prey. I grew up in Los Angeles have attended many funerals and realize we still don't have a shot for a future.

I think about all the friends I have lost over the years. this one hits very hard because I was there when she was pregnant with Davon, I knew how much she loved her son, and for some Idiot wanting to prove himself to do this, he is a coward and will get what he deserves he was caught, GOD ID GOOD! I love you Davon & Barbara

[olivia solomon]

Davon just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunately. Gangbangers is a power trip. I just wonder what goes
through their minds after they have killed someone out of random?
I reall think that Cars cruising around School yards with Groupies should
be Stopped and checked out.

[Evette Rascon]

I just want to extend my condolences to this family. I live in Colorado and read the report every week, seldom without shedding a tear. I am so sorry. I am a mother of 4 teenage boys and moved them out of Denver because I was afraid that they would meet the same fate. After reading your story I went home and hugged each one of my boys and told them I love them. Again, I am so sorry and I will keep you in my prayers.

[Della Street]

First and foremost, my sincere condolences to the Pritchett family. May you find comfort in the memories that you will forever have of your precious son. To Perry Mason... any idea what good, hard punches in the nose lead to buddy? That's not the solution. You were more on point when you suggested "just letting it go." To that end, you get to see another sunrise, another blue sky, another star-filled night (unlike Devon). You live another day, hopefully to reflect, find humor in it, and to surround yourself with friends and family (unlike Devon). To all who consider taking matters into your own hands... PLEASE RE-THINK IT. Know that the battle is not yours....it's His. Pride goeth before the fall (figure it out). Rest In Peace Devon. Again, my sincerest condolences to the Pritchett family.

[O'Dawg]

Nothing can be done to stop "rage". Rage, synonymous with anger is an emotion. HUMANS (not just black, white, brown or pick your color) are emotional beings, and you cannot snap your fingers, throw money around, stand on pulpits, or write in a blog to change the nature of being human.

The only thing that can be done is to take actions to MINIMIZE disasters like this. Here are 3 suggestions:

1. Reduce the availability of guns. I don't have a gun, but that is MY CHOICE. I could easily get one if I wanted one. However, I know my neighbors and their kids piss me off, so it wouldn't be good for me to have one...or rather good for them, so I don't have a gun. I do consider this an exaggeration of my mental state, but what do hotter heads than mine do when they are angry and a gun is within reach. When I was this poor child's age, I only knew of 1 person that had been shot, and there had never been a shooting at a school that I attended in South LA.

2. Teach conflict resolution as early as possible. It just appears that for young people, there is no other way to resolve a conflict then to whoop somebody's ass. Unfortunately, it doesn't always end after the whooping and somebody is going to take drastic measures to win (see #1). Adults and schools need to stress not resorting to violence to resolve problems. If they don't learn it young, they are going to continue to resolve problems violently when they are old. But don't feel bad, youngsters, do not be surprised to know that even big snooty corporations have to teach conflict resolution to their employees.

3. Get out of denial and take responsibility for your actions or the actions of those you are legally bound to care for. From parents to big government, there is denial in what needs to be done. Parents need to discipline their kids, and government needs to let them. Govenment needs to get some of these irredeemable people off the street, or at least, let them know that they will be taken off the street if they continue to cause these problems.

Of course, many people will agree or disagree with these suggestions. Just understand that these are just suggestions. Please feel free to make your own the next time some kid is gunned down for basically mindinig his own business.

[dee hill]

To the parents of davon prichett, i'm so sorry about your son. i live in arizona but i use to live in compton and i attended centennial high school, i left 12 years ago, i thoght the killings out there had stoped are slowed down. i read this report every week and i can not belive what the hell is going on out there and nothing is being done about it, i lost a family member the same way and i cant understan how people get pissed of and chase down a bus and kill a kid; they dont ask any questions are any thing they just shoot to kill, and the police dont have any idea who it is are they just dont give uh damn. i wish you the best, and davon lives on throught the lives he saved by giving apart of himself. much love to you all.

[K.Winn]

I wish I could answer that question but I don't understand myself. When I was coming up you settled arguements with your hands and after it was over everyone went there separate ways and were speaking after so many days. Now people are so quick to pull a gun out and start shooting that normally ends in tragedy and then they're on the news looking stupid for killing someone over a perceived insult. My prayers to this young mans family over this senseless killing.

[Perry Mason]

Let me just ask a question.

What can be done to curb the apparent rage that seems to be at the bottom of so many of the killings chronicled on this blog?

The Harris boy's death seems a very typical example. There is a quarrel. Whatever the subject was, it doesn't matter. Somebody at the quarrel got mad. He felt "disrespected." Why is "respect" so important that the person had to escalate it to this level where somebody gets a gun or pulls the one he had on him, and stalks the kid, or in many cases returns from retrieving the weapon, and then still has so much rage built up that he pulls that trigger and shatters another life so easily?

I want to start this discussion by saying that I am not buying any argument that blames it all on discrimination or lack of opportunity. Too many people from too many neighborhoods are upstanding, law-abiding citizens who get an education or get out or in any event make lives for themselves.

So what is it that lies at the root of this idea that if you feel disrespected, the way to fix it is to go get a firearm and "bust a cap" into somebody? Why can't you just let it go? Or if you can't, whatever happened to a good, hard punch in the nose? You know, it's a whole lot less final and delivers the same message.

Tell me. Why?