The Chicago West Side community, particularly East Garfield Park, is mourning the loss of 18-year-old Damarion Johnson, a senior at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, who was fatally shot on Thursday evening, May 8, 2026.
Johnson was a passenger in an Uber driven by 38-year-old Jassen Cho when a gray SUV pulled alongside their vehicle in the 200 block of North Homan Avenue near Lake Street around 8:30 p.m. and opened fire in what police described as a drive-by shooting. Both men suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to area hospitals, where they were pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Damarion Johnson had just finished basketball practice and was heading home in the Uber when the attack occurred. The promising student-athlete was days away from committing to a college with a full-ride basketball scholarship.
He had transferred to Christ the King Jesuit College Prep in the Austin neighborhood from Orr Academy and was known among classmates, coaches, and mentors for his dedication, humility, hard work, and vibrant personality both on and off the court. His death has devastated family, friends, school community, and local youth basketball organizations like Project sWISH Chicago.
The Uber driver, Jassen Cho, a financial analyst who drove part-time, was also killed in the incident. Cho was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital, while Johnson died at Stroger Hospital. Both deaths were ruled homicides by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office due to multiple gunshot wounds. No motive has been publicly released, and no arrests had been announced as of the latest updates, with Chicago police continuing to investigate the targeted nature of the attack.
At Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, school officials expressed profound grief over the loss of one of their students. Johnson was remembered as a respectful young man who carried himself with humility and worked diligently toward his goals. The shooting has left classmates and coaches heartbroken, highlighting the ongoing challenges of youth violence in Chicago neighborhoods even as young people pursue positive paths through education and athletics.
The incident took place in East Garfield Park, a residential area on Chicago’s West Side known for its community efforts amid persistent crime concerns. Video and witness accounts helped investigators piece together the sequence, showing the sudden ambush as the victims traveled through the block. Community members have organized vigils to honor Johnson’s memory and call for an end to such senseless violence that cuts short promising futures.
As the investigation remains active, anyone with information about the gray SUV or the shooting is urged to contact Chicago police. Damarion Johnson’s passing serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life for young Chicagoans, with tributes emphasizing his kindness, love for basketball, and potential to achieve great things. Support continues to pour in for his family, school, and the broader Garfield Park community grappling with this latest tragedy.