Xavier Day, a former college football player who returned to Chicago's south side to give back to his community, has been shot dead. He was 23.
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Xavier Joy, a graduate of one of Chicago's top schools and mentor to disadvantaged kids, fatally shot near U. of C. https://t.co/NDjCM2O4p5 pic.twitter.com/ys19usr5Jt
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) June 9, 2017
Police have no motive, and now are looking for suspects.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Day was walking back to his car and was talking on the phone to his girlfriend, Gabriela Sanchez, when he said his battery was dying, and he would call her back. Sanchez said she also heard a voice say, "Is that all you got?"
Police found Day shot several times in a parking lot near his car, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Sanchez told WGN-TV that Day still had his wallet and car keys on him.
Xavier Joy, 23, killed in a shooting 1 block from University of Chicago campus. We just spoke to his mother. Interview on @ABC7Chicago @6:30 pic.twitter.com/HEjc7l9Hb8
— Laura Podesta (@LauraPodestaTV) June 9, 2017
Day, a 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback, played a season at Moorehouse College before returning to Chicago. WGN-TV reported he taught chess, math and science to young children. The Tribune reported he joined AmeriCorps, yje national network of volunteers, and worked with disadvantaged students,
He also comes from a family with deep community roots. His father, Ra Joy, is the former executive director of Arts Alliance Illinois. He now serves as director of Change Illinois, a statewide coalition pushing for political and government reform. His mother, Nykea Pippion-McGriff, is president of the Women's Council of Realtors Chicago.
Chicago has been plagued with gun violence. In a 24-hour period this weekend, 31 people were shot, according to the Tribune, and there have been 255 shooting deaths.
