A 33-year-old mail carrier, Jonte Davis, was tragically killed while on duty in his United States Postal Service (USPS) van in Warren, Ohio, a city situated approximately 60 miles southeast of Cleveland, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The shooting occurred while he was making his usual mail deliveries.
Emergency services were summoned to Olive Avenue around 1:44 p.m. on the day of the incident, where they discovered Davis in critical condition, suffering from gunshot wounds.
First aid was administered on-site by the officers, and Davis was quickly transported to Trumbull Regional Medical Center. Despite the medical team’s best efforts to save him, Davis succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The Warren Police Department (WPD) is investigating the shooting, suspecting it was a targeted attack. Preliminary findings suggest that Davis and his attacker may have known each other.
An eyewitness, who alerted the authorities via a 911 call, reported seeing a gray pickup truck drive past Davis’ USPS vehicle. The truck fired four to five shots and then sped off towards Washington Street and North Park Avenue. Another 911 call reported Davis’ vehicle veering off the road into a nearby yard.
The WPD, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and USPS Postal Inspectors, later found the suspected vehicle at an address on Maryland Ave NE. Supported by the Mahoning Valley Crisis Response Team, the police conducted a search of the property and subsequently brought several individuals in for questioning, according to a press release.
As of now, no arrests have been made. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued a warning stating the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin has reassured the public that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to apprehend the culprits. He also extended his condolences to the victim’s family.
A family friend told local media that Davis leaves behind a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls, ranging in age from three to 14. The family is grappling with the devastating loss.
A vigil in memory of Davis was held on Thursday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Warren post office. Attendees walked from the post office through the streets to where David was shot and wore green, white, and black, Davis’s favorite colors.
The family friend described Davis as a beacon of positivity, a dedicated family man, who in addition to his children is survived by his mother and eleven siblings. He said Davis lived a life of integrity, setting an example for his children.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Davis’ family. Donations are being accepted to cover funeral costs and assist the family during this difficult time. Davis’ brother, Larry, paid tribute to him on the page, recalling his kindness and his reputation as a dedicated mail carrier and a good man.
The USPS has offered a reward of $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s). Ian Ortega, a USPS postal Inspector from the Cleveland Office, reiterated the USPS’s commitment to the safety and security of postal workers and pledged to support the ongoing investigation.