The father of a teenager killed in a murder with a weapon spoke out

CANTON. Rajion Davis, 18, was shot and killed last week during a street fight that also left a 19-year-old woman hospitalized.

A witness told police that Davis was attempting to commit an armed robbery when he was shot during an argument near 10th Street and High Avenue NW, according to police report.

Davis’ father, Raji Davis Sr., disputes that notion. According to him, his son sold street drugs, but he sees no reason to commit a robbery.

“My son was not a villain. I didn’t like the way they did it,” he said. “(It makes) my son look like he was a straight-up killer.”

The son’s funeral is scheduled for Friday at Rhoden Funeral Home at 729 Cherry Ave. NO. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m

Canton police say the case is still under investigation

Police declined to release any additional information about the shooting this week or say whether anyone may face charges. The investigation of the shooting continues by the detective bureau.

The incident was the second gun homicide of the year.

According to police report, Davis was riding in the passenger seat of a car with another person when they noticed a 19-year-old woman walking with one of her friends, and Davis made comments that appeared to be related to whether the two were on drugs.

Then the 19-year-old approached and Davis got out of the car. The woman’s friend told police that Davis asked the woman for her belongings. The woman pushed Davis, who then reportedly put a gun to her head, according to the girlfriend’s account to police.

Davis’ father does not believe this version of events.

“My son had $3,000 on him,” he said. “Why did my son try to rob (her)?”

Police report indicates the woman was shot by Davis during a physical struggle captured on video. The woman also pulled out a gun and began shooting Davis before running away.

“Obviously, I don’t know if she shot my son first and he shot back, whatever the case may be,” he said. “It (doesn’t) make (any) sense.”

The father claims that there is more to the story

Davis Sr. doesn’t believe his son would resort to violence without reason.

“When you’re in this kind of business, you’ve got to stick to your guns,” he said. “He probably felt threatened.”

He also said he thinks it’s possible his son’s friends played a role in the shooting, noting the driver dropped off other passengers miles away before taking his son to his cousin’s house.

“It sounds to me like his own friends set him up…” he said. “My son walked into his cousin’s house and fell on the floor and said, ‘I’ve been shot.’ Why didn’t you take my son to the (expletive) hospital that was right down the street?”

Davis Sr. said his son has great potential.

“He was working, going to school, and he was going to graduate this year,” he said. “He (wanted) to get into the oil field … He wanted to be somebody.”

Davis Sr. said he hopes new information will emerge that will paint a clearer picture of what happened.

“My son cannot speak for himself,” he said.