Jesse White Tumbler Shot and Killed

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White and members of his Jesse White Tumblers are mourning the death of a team member who was shot Sept. 18 on the 1300 block of North Cleveland Avenue.

“I am devastated by the violent death of Devonshay Lofton, one of my Tumblers,” said Secretary White, via a released statement. “This is a tragic loss for our tumbling team. I knew Devonshay to be

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Devonshay Lofton, 17, member of the Jesse White Tumblers was shot and killed Sept. 18, on the 1300 block of North Cleveland Avenue.

a nice young man, who was very well-mannered. He had been with the team for six years. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and I will do what I can to support them during this difficult time. I hope the offender(s) who took his life are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

Chicago Police Department spokesman, Officer Thomas Sweeney, told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper that around 9:20 p.m., Sept. 18, a young man was approached by two unknown offenders on bicycles that opened fire striking him in the left shoulder area. He was transported to North Western Hospital where he was pronounced.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed, Devonshay Lofton, 16, of the 1300 block of N. Hudson Street died from a gunshot wound to the arm area.

Chicago Police spokesperson, Bari Lemmon said on Monday that Lofton’s death was being investigated but no arrests have been made.

According to a July 2012 Chicago Sun-Times news story, Willie Williams III, 17, also a member of the Jesse White Tumbers, was shot and killed outside a south side mall in 2006 as he tried to break up a fight.

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